Nigeria Needs a New Order
The SPPG has the goal of transforming politics in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
In 2019, leading Nigerian intellectuals convened in Berlin to discuss how Nigeria can establish a new political order. Following Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili’s fellowship research at the Robert Bosch Academy, the #FixPolitics initiative emerged in recognition of the dismal performance of public leadership in Africa, reflected in the fact that despite its wealth of natural and human resources, Africa continues to lag behind other regions of the world in the most objective and measurable indicators of human and economic development. Research suggests that central to this continental underperformance is politics, specifically a culture of leadership that inherently subverts the public good by elevating personal and parochial interests above the collective well-being of citizens.
In 2020, three Work Study Groups were formed and anchored by ethical and mission-driven Nigerians interested in the founding of a world-class learning center as well as the development of new ideas around strengthening Nigeria’s value systems, empowering the electorate, and reform of the constitutional, political and electoral environment.
The School of Politics, Policy & Governance (SPPG), as part of the Values pillar of the FixPolitics initiative, has the goal of transforming politics in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, by building a massive base and pipeline of a new value-based and disruptive thinking political class with the requisite knowledge and skills to lead effectively.
The SPPG is integral to the fulfilment of the #FixPolitics mission to elevate the Office of the Citizen to its rightful place in our nation and develop a political class of servant leaders.
In terms of its geographic scope, #FixPolitics recognises that the history of Nigeria and its ongoing journey to meaningful nationhood and effective democracy is comparable to the history of the vast majority of African countries who have similar experiences of slavery, colonialism, and the postcolonial struggle for peace, progress, and prosperity. In other words, most African nations face very similar developmental obstacles to Nigeria. With this background, the SPPG is committed to shaping ethical and accountable leadership in Africa as a whole.
Vision
We envision a Nigeria with competent and responsible public leadership firmly based on ethical principles and dedicated to serving the common good for the benefit of all.
Mission
Our mission is to educate present and future leaders dedicated to the good of the nation and ready to serve as stewards of the wellbeing of all Nigerians.
Our Values
We are guided by these values, which serve as our underlying principles:
- Accountability
- Respect and Tolerance
- Stewardship and Responsibility
- Social justice and inclusiveness
- Ethical leadership, a moral compass based on Integrity and Honesty and respect for the rule of law
These values inform the recruitment of students, the curriculum, our alum work, and partnerships with other universities, research centres, and funding bodies.
Strategic Objectives
Based on our vision, mission, and values, the unconventional SPPG has four main objectives:
- Educate a new cadre of political leaders dedicated to our values and capable of governing Nigeria based on the values we uphold.
- Contribute to instilling in politicians and public administrators a deep sense of moral commitment to the common good as a foundation for Nigeria’s future prosperity.
- Strengthen the bonds between government, public administration, and citizens by fostering dialogue, accountability and transparency.
- Create an enabling environment for an inclusive civil society where citizens are aware of their rights and obligations, and emboldened to act in the public interest.