The late-admission application window into the #SPPGClassof2024 is open and closes on October 20 2023
The late-admission application window into the #SPPGClassof2024 is open and closes on October 20 2023
The SPPG, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, established in 2020, is building a pipeline of a new and disruptive-thinking political class with a mission to transform the quality of political and public leadership in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. The School is a unique Public Leadership Preparation initiative.
The SPPG educates present and future leaders that are committed to public good and who are ready to serve as stewards of the well-being of all Nigerians. The School delivers an unconventional multidisciplinary curriculum that is aimed at producing a massive base of ethical, competent and capable public leadership with the requisite knowledge and skills to solve complex development problems in our country and continent.
So far, SPPG has graduated 3 cohorts of students as #PioneerClassof2021 (160), #Classof2022 (133) and #Classof2023 (184). Consistent with the mission of TheSPPG.org, upon graduation, many of our students run for elective offices across various parties while others pursue leadership careers in the public and private sectors as well as civil society.
In furtherance of our mission and commitment to attracting exceptional talents and students, , we have decided to open a Late Admission Window for those who wish to apply to the #Classof2024. The deadline for applications using the Late Application Window is extremely tight and ends on October 20, 2023. Admission to the SPPG is highly competitive through a rigorous selection process conducted entirely virtually.
To apply, visit thesppg.org .
Who can apply?
- All applicants must have a minimum educational qualification of a B.Sc or HND/BA.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate commitment to public leadership.
- The ability to demonstrate the successful execution of projects will be an advantage.
- What you need to apply
- Applicants are required to upload the following to the online application portal:
- Academic qualification (BA, B.Sc or HND).
- Master or any other Post Graduate Certificate (if applicable).
- Personal Statement (Maximum – 750 words).
- Curriculum Vitae (Maximum – 2 pages).
- Details of 2 recommenders (peer, community leader or employer who must have known you for a minimum of 6 months and can vouch for your character and suitability for this program).
Application Deadline
To fast-track the admissions process, applicants are expected to fulfil all admission requirements on or before October 20 2023.
Limited scholarship slots are available. Terms and conditions apply.
Incomplete applications (applications without recommendation letters) will be disqualified.
To learn more about the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, visit thesppg.org.
The Gerrad Olisa-Asha (GOA) Foundation Launches Merit-Based Scholarship Program to Foster Educational Equity and Human Capital Development
The Gerrad Olisa-Asha (GOA) Foundation seeks to provide scholarships for individuals who are passionately committed to advancing educational equity and human capital development through policy, intervention, and innovation. The GOA Foundation is a merit-based scholarship that, aims to ensure equal accessibility to top-notch education at all levels for anyone with a willingness to learn
WHY THE GOA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?
Fully funded tuition to attend the SPPG’s 10-month program
- Access to strong and influential GOA Foundation community
- Opportunity to make an impact in the next generation
- Opportunity to participate in a research paper and thought leadership forum that could influence educational policies
https://youtu.be/NqdKD7Sj2M4
In the words of the CEO of the SPPG, Alero Ayida-Otobo: ‘We're truly excited to partner with the Gerrad Olisa-Ashar Foundation in launching this Scholarship Program. Together, we are determined to empower individuals and nurture future political leaders who will listen and serve their communities.‘
Eligibility Criteria:
- Demonstrates strong commitment to education equity and human capital development
- Passionate about educational equity on any level
- Readiness to undertake projects that promote educational equity/ human capacity development
- Interested in participating in a community that mentors younger people in human capital development
- Must be willing to provide data on progress and growth for research papers
- Availability for operational audits on projects from GOA Foundation
N.B: The Gerrad Olisa-Ashar Foundation scholarship does not require a separate application. Your application to the #ClassOf2024 will be used to shortlist scholarship recipients. Ensure that you provide sufficient responses to the 750-word personal statement section.
Click Here to Apply: https://thesppg.org/apply/
Obinna Gabriel’s grassroots advocacy helped fix a dilapidated road in Ayegbami community in Kwara State
Obinna Gabriel, SPPG Pioneer Class 2021, grassroots advocacy, helped fix a dilapidated road in Ayegbami community in Kwara State. He also took up another project designed to keep Ayegbami clean, which he named #CleanUpAyegbami.
While studying at the School of Politics Policy and Governance, Gabriel Obinna was posted to his primary assignment (PPA) place — Iman Hamzat Model College in Ayegbami — in June 2021. After getting to the community, he observed that the major road was dilapidated. As a development-oriented person, he met with some residents to determine whether the road was a top priority to them. During his meetings with residents, including their leaders, he was let in on the effects of the bad road; two children were said to have died in a flood and economic activities crumbled due to inaccessibility to seven neighbouring communities.
Leveraging his education at the SPPG, Gabriel conducted a needs assessment; he knew that this particular problem existed in Ayegbami, but he needed to be very sure; he went around the community and met with people to understand the magnitude of the problem. He met with people who stay at home, people who sell things in shops, people in his PPA and community leaders. After meeting with the residents, they assured him of their support in proffering solutions to the problem. The community leaders also gave him a letter detailing the challenges faced as a result of the road.
In July 2021, Gabriel drafted a project proposal, including the estimated budget.
Gabriel sent letters to several non-governmental organisations and business enterprises to get support for the project. He equally wrote to media organisations to create awareness for the plight of residents of Ayegbami.
His initial plan was to crowdfund, but he changed gears after realising that raising the estimated budget for the road project would be difficult.
In August 2021, a member of the community advised him to reach out to Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo, the federal lawmaker representing the Ilorin East/South constituency. After contacting the lawmaker, Gabriel was invited to visit the constituency office to discuss the project.
Courtesy of Gabriel’s intervention and advocacy, the construction of the road was added to the list of projects for the constituency in 2021.
In September 2021, construction works started on the road, which brought excitement to the residents as their dream of having a good and accessible road was becoming a reality.
In January 2022, the construction was completed — and it was a dream come true for residents of Ayegbami as their biggest challenge was finally in the rearview.
Speaking about his motivation, Gabriel Obinna said he is always looking for problems to solve wherever he finds himself.
He believes he can always mobilise people to proffer solutions to daunting societal challenges. For Gabriel, the slogan is — to seek ways to solve problems instead of complaining. Gabriel did not stop at the advocacy intervention for road construction. He took up another project designed to keep Ayegbami clean, which he named #CleanUpAyegbami.
Gabriel designed the project after observing that Ayegbami was in a “serious environmental mess” as all open spaces were used as dumpsites.
For the project, he sensitised residents of the Kwara community on the importance of cleanliness and waste evacuation.
Although his work in Ayegbami thrust him into the spotlight, Gabriel’s knack for development advocacy did not start there. As a departmental president in UNIBEN, he established the first library in the institution’s department of mass communication and mobilised students to donate books to set up the library.
According to Gabriel, “I’m not the type who would rather complain than look for solutions,”.
2023 Elections in Nigeria: Five SPPG Students won their primaries and have emerged as candidates
SPPG Students Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia (PDP), Khadijah Abdullahi Iya (APGA), Ier Jonathan (ADC), Nonso Nnamani (APGA) and Adeola Azeez(SDP) successfully won their primaries. They emerged as candidates for their respective political parties in Nigeria.
The SPPG is designed to attract, develop and produce a new generation of political leaders who will listen to and serve the new class of citizens that know their rights, as well as produce 21st Century politicians who will be known for their values-driven character, unquestionable competence and undeniable capacity. To achieve its mandate, the School currently runs a ten-month programme for a Certificate in Public Leadership and Policy (CPLP); Since its inception in 2021, the School has trained and graduated 160 Students as part of its Pioneer Class and is training 154 Students in the Class of 2022.
Beyond the lessons in the classroom, of paramount importance to the School is the need for its students to run for office. The SPPG is non-partisan in its modus operandi; the SPPG has students from different political parties. Students can choose any political party or platform to run for office. To support its Students running for office, a roundtable session for political aspirants led by Dr Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili, Founder of the School and Alero Ayida-Otobo, CEO of SPPG, was organised to provide support for SPPG Students running for political office.
Leveraging their training at the SPPG, in the 2022 Party primaries, 55 students from the SPPG Pioneer Class and the SPPG Class of 2022 contested in their respective political parties to become candidates. Five students emerged as winners: Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia is the House of Representative candidate Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency for the PDP, Khadijah Abdullahi Iya is the Governorship candidate Niger State for APGA, Nonso Nnamani is the Federal House of Representatives, Enugu North and South Federal Constituency for APGA, Ier Jonathan is the Federal House of Representative Kwande/Ushongo candidate for the ADC, Adeola Azeez is the House of Representative candidate Ijebu Central for the SDP.
Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, SPPG Class of 2022, PDP
Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, an SPPG Class of 2022 Student and House of representative candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, has pledged to attract development to his constituency and create opportunities for job employment if elected to serve. According to Ibrahim, "I have acquired that knowledge with modesty and built solid relationships with critical individuals and institutions in Nigeria and beyond. If I am entrusted to represent our Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, I will be an active, relevant, and performing representative. I will be part of those who will make things happen in the House of Representatives. Our voice will be heard. Our needs will receive attention, our people will get what is due to us, and many of our youth will be gainfully employed."
Hajiya Khadijat Abdullahi-Iya SPPG Class of 2022, APGA
Hajiya Khadijat Abdullahi-Iya an SPPG Class of 2022 Student, emerged winner at the governorship primary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Niger State for the 2023 general election after defeating a male contender, Alhaji Mohammed Usman, with 121 votes against 20. Abdullahi-Iya brazed the odds to change the narrative of the male-dominated political terrain by contesting and clinching the ticket to fly the flag of APGA. According to Abdullahi-Iya, "I was able to leverage my training at the SPPG, the goodwill and relationship my family has built over the years, my social enterprise and existing party structure to win my primaries".
Nonso Nnamani SPPG Class of 2021, APGA
Nonso Nnamani is contesting for a seat at the Federal House of Representatives, Enugu North and South Federal Constituency in the upcoming 2023 general election on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), his key agenda above power and political interest is to put the needs of the people first and to ensure that policies and programs accurately reflect the needs of his community. According to Nonso Nnamani “Having observed the Enugu North and South political space over the years, I firmly believe that there is need to renew the political class. Leadership is key! It is time to bring in new young leaders with capacity and competence to foster growth and development in our community. My purpose and agenda is clear - PUTTING YOU FIRST.”
Adeola Azeez, SPPG Pioneer Class Alumni, SDP
Adeola Azeez, the daughter of elder statesman Pa Ayo Adebanjo, an SPPG Pioneer Class Alumna who is running for the House of Representative Ijebu Central under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Is running to ensure regular electricity supply, creation of jobs, agricultural development and education, among others, in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency. According to Adeola Azeez, "I am not satisfied with the number of women in politics. We don't have enough women in government" She frowned at the rejection of the five gender-based bills by members of the House of Representatives, saying that such action was aimed at denying more women the opportunity to participate in politics. She believes the country cannot move forward as expected until more women are allowed in the three tiers and arms of government.
Ier Jonathan-Ichaver SPPG Pioneer Class Alumni, ADC
Ier Jonathan-Ichaver is an SPPG Pioneer Class Alumna, a social justice advocate, and co-founder of Sensor Empowerment Foundation, a disaster relief organisation supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. Ier Jonathan emerged as the Federal House of Representative Kwande/Ushongo candidate for the ADC.
Beyond the Primaries
The SPPG is focused on building ethical, competent leaders and producing at scale a new genre of public leadership that serves the people and delivers on governance. SPPG has set the goal of raising and preparing 10,000 disruptive thinking, values-based political leaders over the next ten years.