Obiageli Ezekwesili, the founder of FixPolitics/School of Politics, Policy & Governance (SPPG), has disclosed that the primary motivation for the SPPG was to deepen issues surrounding good governance in Nigeria. “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.”
She stated this during the recent hybrid matriculation ceremony of the 237 newly admitted students for the SPPG 2023 session held in Abuja. According to her, the SPPG is an unconventional school of the research-anchored #FixPolitics initiative designed to transform 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 solve complex problems of development.
“We are guided by accountability, respect and tolerance, stewardship and responsibility, social justice and inclusiveness, which serve as our underlying principles. 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 alumni work as well as partnerships with other universities, research centres, and funding bodies,” Ezekwesili said.
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The Class of 2023 consists of 84 female 35.44 percent and 153 male 64.56 percent. In 2021, the school received 296 applications but 220 were successful, 74 percent of the successful applicants gained admission. While 28 percent were female, 72 percent were male.
In the pioneer cohort, the school received 721 applications but 303 were judged successful and 42 percent of the 303 gained admission. 33 percent of the successful applications were female students, while 67 percent were male.
Alero Ayida-Otobo, the chief executive of the school, while speaking during the matriculation ceremony stated that the goal of the school is to achieve a 50-50 ratio of female and male students in all its admissions. “We shall keep on this until it is achieved,” she said.
It will be recalled that the school recently graduated one hundred and thirty-three (133) students in an event that was attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr, Founder FATE Foundation, Fola Adeola, CEO, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Alero Ayida-Otobo and Founder SPPG/Convener FixPolitics, Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili.
