Nigeria: Moghalu becomes President of the African School of Management

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has been appointed as the first President of the newly established African School of Governance (ASG), which will change the continent’s leadership landscape by addressing the diverse needs of leaders across the continent. Africa.

The African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) has announced the establishment of ASG, a higher education institution headquartered in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The institution is specifically designed to offer world-class educational, research and interactive programs in the field of public policy.

According to a statement by John Paul Sesonga of the ASGF, the initiative was launched in Kigali on October 21, 2024, at an event that brought together prominent African leaders.

“ASG is committed to addressing the continent’s pressing governance challenges by equipping emerging leaders with the mindset, skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead Africa’s future.

The initiative brings together visionaries committed to creating a model of sustainable governance based on African realities,” the statement said.

The ASG Initiative was founded by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (both co-founders of the ASG Foundation) in consultation with other African leaders, academics and philanthropists committed to improving governance across the continent.

Professor Moghalu will guide and shape ASG’s academic vision and deliver curriculum that reflects the complex challenges of governance in Africa. Under the leadership of the Board of Governors, he will focus on attracting the best African faculty, enhancing academic excellence and positioning ASG as a center for intellectual and policy innovation.

“The creation of ASG is a clear expression of the clear vision on the part of the founding leaders,” Professor Moghalu said in response to his appointment. “I share this vision of a transformed Africa, driven by competent leadership and governance, and I am honored to have been tasked with leading ASG’s critical contribution to making this vision a reality,” he added.

Professor Moghalu has held senior positions in the United Nations system for 17 years and taught at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Oxford and the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is also the author of several books.

Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC and Chairman of the Board of ASG, says: “We are pleased to welcome Kingsley Moghala as President of the African School of Management. “His distinguished leadership experience in international and national policy institutions and academia, and his leadership impact, will help transform ASG into a transformative graduate school and develop a new generation of driven leaders with the skills and mindset to help Africa meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

The Mastercard Foundation is supporting ASG as part of its Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to provide 30 million young Africans, 70% of whom are women, with access to decent and meaningful work by 2030.

ASG will be led by a distinguished independent board chaired by Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and former Minister of Finance and Economy of Senegal. The board of directors also included Donald Kaberuka, former president of the African Development Bank; Hajer Geldikh, professor at the University of Carthage; Kishore Mahbubani, former Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, and Francis Gatare, Director-General of the Rwanda Development Council.

Speaking on the launch, Hailemariam Desalegn commented: “The time has come for an institution based on the needs and aspirations of Africa. The African School of Management will be a hub for developing purpose-driven leaders who can address the continent’s most critical challenges and opportunities.” combining Africa’s uniqueness with international best practices. This is not just an educational institution, but a movement towards sustainable African leadership.

“Addressing Development and Governance Challenges in Africa. Africa’s rapid economic growth, growing global influence and evolving governance structures present unprecedented opportunities and challenges. From recovering from the pandemic to adapting to climate change, the continent’s policymakers face complex and urgent challenges that require skilled leadership.”

ASG is committed to addressing this critical need by developing current and future leaders who can address these challenges through leadership, governance and sustainability mindset shifts to drive lasting and meaningful change across the continent, the statement added.

ASG will offer a comprehensive package of academic programs to address governance, leadership and policy challenges in Africa. These include the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programs, which are designed for mid-career professionals and senior executives. ASG will also provide specialized leadership courses to enhance specific leadership skills for professionals.

In addition, the Young Leaders Program (YLP) and Senior Leadership Fellowship (SLF) will cater to high-potential students and experienced professionals nearing the end of their careers, ensuring that ASG supports leadership development at every stage, the statement said.

The ASG curriculum will be distinguished by its integration of the historical, political and socio-economic context of Africa. By exposing students to the realities of Africa, the institution will empower diverse leaders to address complex governance issues on the continent by drawing on global best practices.

In addition to its educational offerings, ASG will play a critical role in management development through its dedicated research centers. These include the Center for Homegrown Innovation in Policy and Governance, the Center for African History and Leadership, the Center for Trade and Regional Integration, and the Center for Technology and Efficient Delivery.

These research centers will develop evidence-based solutions tailored to governance challenges in Africa, helping policymakers design and implement effective policies and strategies.

ASG’s commitment to political engagement is equally strong. It plans to actively engage with governments, civil society and private sector stakeholders through policy labs, incubators and collaborative partnerships. ASG translates its research into practical policy solutions that will promote good governance and sustainable development across the continent.

As ASG’s first President, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, an internationally recognized leader in public policy and management, will guide the institution towards achieving its ambitious goals.

The initiative is supported by the ASG Foundation, a non-profit foundation that helps mobilize funding and manage its endowment, provides strategic direction to the institution and supports related initiatives to develop African leaders.

Strong strategic partnerships with other world-class institutions, including the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and the Mastercard Foundation, support the creation of ASG.

ASG, headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, aims to become a pan-African organization with global influence. Its mission is to build leadership capacity that transcends borders, ensuring African voices are heard and lead global governance discussions.

ASG’s partnerships with institutions such as the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore further strengthens its commitment to providing world-class education based on African and international experiences.

This initiative marks an important milestone in African governance. Through the collective efforts of its founders and partners, the institution will help develop the leaders Africa needs to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.