Bridging the Governance Gap: The Role of Inclusive Governance Education in National Development
Presentation by Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade, mni
(Legal & Real Estate Expert, Governance Advocate, and Entrepreneur)
Opening Remarks
- Good [morning/afternoon/evening] distinguished guests, esteemed speakers, and participants.
- I extend my deep appreciation to the Africa School of Governance for organizing this platform for dialogue and impact.
- I must commend Prof. Kingsley Moghalu for his thought-provoking keynote. His extensive expertise in governance, economic policy, and institutional reform continues to be a beacon for Africa’s transformation.
- Today, I will delve deeper into some key themes from his speech while bringing practical insights from my experience as a mother
Introduction
As an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and a former National Legal Adviser for the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), I have had the privilege of engaging with policymakers and governance experts who shape the trajectory of our nation. Additionally, under the leadership of Prof. Kingsley Moghalu as President of the Africa School of Governance (ASG), we recognize that governance is not just about leaders making decisions—it is also about citizens understanding governance and actively participating in it.
Yet, a significant challenge remains: the disconnect between governance actions and public understanding. THEREFORE,
QUES: How do we make governance education practical, inclusive, and impactful for all?
The Analogy: Leadership Without Understanding
A few years ago, I attended an event with my four-year-old son. Throughout the event, he was restless, making it difficult for me to concentrate. Frustrated, I had to leave early. When we got home, I disciplined him by spanking him. He cried, but 15 minutes later, he returned to me and said, “Mum, I don’t like that game.”
I was stunned—he thought the spanking was a game, not discipline. He did not connect my action to any lesson. In his mind, there was no cause-and-effect relationship between his behavior and my response.
This experience mirrors a fundamental governance problem: leaders implement policies, make laws, and enforce decisions, …citizens often do not understand the intentions behind government policies, and as a result, governance action do not translate into meaningful impact.
Governance then appears to be an elite-driven exercise, disconnected from the realities of the people it is meant to serve.
The Governance Education Gap
Governance is not just about leaders making policies—it is also about citizens understanding those policies and actively participating in governance.
The absence of widespread governance education results in:
- Distrust in leadership – When governance is not understood, it is often met with skepticism.
- Low civic engagement – Citizens feel detached from governance processes, leading to political apathy.
- Resistance to reforms – Even well-intended policies face opposition due to misinformation or lack of awareness or simply because the public lacks understanding.
If leaders fail to educate the populace, governance efforts will have limited impact—just like my disciplinary action had no effect on my son because he misunderstood its purpose.
Addressing the Inclusivity Challenge
It therefore appears that one of the most pressing concerns in governance education is its exclusivity, often limited to urban elites—just like this very discussion. Yet, rural communities, where governance knowledge is equally—if not more—critical, are frequently left behind. Bridging this gap requires deliberate efforts to ensure inclusivity:
- Community-Based Governance Learning – Establishing local governance education hubs in rural areas to empower grassroots leaders.
- Utilizing Mobile and Radio Learning Platforms – Deploying radio programs, podcasts, and mobile learning applications to make governance education accessible to remote populations.
- Translation of Governance Materials into Local Languages – Breaking language barriers to ensure governance knowledge is comprehensible and widely available.
- Engagement of Traditional Leaders and Influencers – Collaborating with traditional rulers and local influencers to promote governance education in culturally relevant ways.
The Role of AANI & ASG in Governance Education
As a member of AANI, I strongly believe that the Alumni Association has a unique role in bridging the governance education gap. With its network of seasoned policymakers, AANI must actively drive national discourse on inclusive governance education, ensuring that policies are not only created but also understood and embraced by the people. Furthermore, Africa School of Governance (ASG), under the leadership of Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, is uniquely positioned to champion governance education across Africa by:
- Developing hands-on leadership training models that move beyond theoretical governance discussions.
- Creating digital and experiential governance learning platforms that democratize access to governance education.
- Fostering public-private partnerships that strengthen governance literacy at all levels of society.
It is not enough to govern well; leaders must also communicate governance effectively.
Call to Action: Governance Must Be Understood to Be Effective
If leadership actions are misunderstood, governance becomes ineffective—just like my son misunderstood my discipline. To bridge the gap, we must:
- Integrate governance education into national curricula – Teaching governance from an early age fosters a culture of informed citizenship.
- Enhance public engagement through civic education programs – Institutions like AANI and ASG must champion initiatives that educate citizens on governance.
- Leverage technology and media – Clear and relatable policy communication must become a standard practice in governance.
- Encourage inclusive participation – Governance should not be a top-down process; it must be a collaborative effort between leaders and the people.
Conclusion: Governance Education as a Transformational Tool
Governance education is not an afterthought; it is the foundation for national development. If we truly want progress, we must ensure that governance is not perceived as a game played by those in power but as a system where every citizen has a role to play.
Only when people understand governance can they:
✅ Engage meaningfully
✅ Trust leadership
✅ Contribute to building a stronger, more prosperous society
The future of Africa depends on the quality of its leaders, and governance education is a critical enabler of that future. However, governance education must evolve beyond theoretical discourse and become a practical, experiential, and inclusive tool for leadership development.
By integrating:
✅ Hands-on learning
✅ Technological innovation
✅ Public-private collaboration
✅ Grassroots engagement
Governance education can serve as a catalyst for ethical, transparent, and effective leadership across the continent.
Africa stands at a pivotal moment—one where governance education can determine the trajectory of its growth, stability, and prosperity. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that knowledge translates into action, and action into meaningful governance transformation.
Governance must not be an exclusive conversation for the elite but a shared understanding that empowers every citizen to participate in shaping their future.
