Joy Ugonma Olayiwola, an Assistant Director at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja, Nigeria, has been awarded the 2026 Aig-Imoukhuede Master in Public Policy (MPP) Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. This prestigious scholarship, offered by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, will enable Olayiwola to pursue a Master of Public Policy degree at Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government. The scholarship aims to equip exceptional Nigerian public servants with advanced policy knowledge and practical skills.
Olayiwola boasts over 17 years of public service experience, with a strong background in digital systems, data-driven solutions, and institutional capacity development. In addition to her role at NASRDA, she leads the Smart Geospatial and ICT Unit at GeoApps Plus Limited. Her extensive experience and expertise make her an excellent candidate for the scholarship. As an alumna of the Foundation's Public Leaders Programme, Olayiwola has already demonstrated her commitment to public service and leadership development.
The Aig-Imoukhuede MPP Scholarship was established in 2017 to support exceptional Nigerian public servants in strengthening public-sector reform and service delivery. To date, the Foundation has awarded the scholarship to 34 Nigerian public servants, enabling them to study at Oxford. Previous beneficiaries have applied their training to various areas, including healthcare delivery, institutional reform, and efforts to combat human trafficking.
According to Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Executive Vice Chair of the Foundation, the scholarship reflects the organisation's commitment to investing in public servants and strengthening their capacity to address complex challenges. The Foundation's leadership development initiatives, including the Public Leaders Programme and Visiting Fellowship, aim to equip public servants with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive positive change in Nigeria.
Olayiwola expressed her excitement about the opportunity to learn alongside public servants from different countries and explore policy approaches that can be adapted to Nigeria's context. The scholarship, delivered in partnership with Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government, will provide Olayiwola with a unique opportunity to engage with international policymakers and scholars.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation's scholarship programme has made a significant impact on Nigerian public servants, enabling them to drive positive change in their respective fields. With Olayiwola's selection, the Foundation continues to invest in the development of exceptional public servants who can address complex challenges and strengthen public-sector reform.
Olayiwola's achievement is a testament to her hard work and dedication to public service. As she prepares to embark on her academic journey at Oxford, she joins a community of accomplished public servants who have benefited from the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation's scholarship programme.
Key points
- The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has awarded the MPP Scholarship to 34 Nigerian public servants to date.
- The scholarship aims to equip exceptional Nigerian public servants with advanced policy knowledge and practical skills.
- Olayiwola has over 17 years of public service experience, with a strong background in digital systems and institutional capacity development.
