Chimamanda Adichie and Obiageli Ezekwesili to Deliver Keynote Speeches at SPPG Graduation Ceremony
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili will deliver keynote speeches at the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024 on October 5, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Renowned novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and former Minister of Education Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, who is also the Founder of Fixpolitics and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), are set to deliver keynote speeches at the upcoming Graduation Ceremony of the Class of 2024. The event will take place on October 5, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja.
The graduation ceremony is expected to honor the achievements of graduates poised to become transformative leaders in Nigeria and beyond. In addition to Adichie and Ezekwesili, other distinguished speakers include Ms. Alero Ayida-Otobo, CEO of SPPG Africa, and Dr. Abiola Akiyode, Dean of SPPG.
A statement regarding the event emphasized SPPG's commitment to cultivating a new breed of leaders dedicated to improving governance in Nigeria and across Africa. It highlighted the urgent need for leaders equipped with character, competence, and capacity to address Nigeria's ongoing governance challenges.
Dr. Ezekwesili remarked, “As Nigeria grapples with ongoing governance challenges, the importance of equipping leaders with character, competence, and capacity to serve the people has never been more crucial.” The SPPG aims to disrupt the cycle of poor governance by training a new generation of ethical and effective leaders through its innovative curriculum.
Alero Ayida-Otobo noted, “For as long as Africa continues on the path of very poor politics, a political culture that subordinates the common good for personal interests, there is no chance of Africa achieving economic development. We must not sit back as citizens; people of character, competence, and capacity will enter Africa’s politics in great numbers to challenge the existing monopolistic pipeline of poor politicians and bad governance.”
The theme of the graduation ceremony, “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words,” reflects SPPG’s mission to prioritize citizen engagement and foster a governance model centered on the needs of the people. The ceremony will include keynote addresses from esteemed leaders and a celebration of the graduates’ accomplishments.
