The African Institute of Public Leadership (AIPL)
Africa’s Professional Home for Public Leadership Practice
The African Institute of Public Leadership (AIPL) is a continental professional membership institute dedicated to advancing excellence, ethics, professionalism, and transformational leadership in public life across Africa.
Established in 2022 as the successor to the Africa Centre for Public Leadership (ACPL), AIPL represents an important evolution in the effort to strengthen public leadership as a recognized field of professional practice throughout the African continent.
The Institute provides a professional home for public servants, policymakers, administrators, legislators, development practitioners, academics, corporate leaders, civil society actors, traditional leaders, faith-based leaders, and emerging professionals who are committed to strengthening institutions and advancing societal transformation.
AIPL is founded on the conviction that the quality of leadership significantly influences the quality of governance, institutions, development outcomes, and public trust. As such, the Institute seeks to promote public leadership not merely as a position of authority, but as a profession requiring competence, ethical conduct, accountability, continuous learning, and commitment to the public good.
Admission begins through APPLICATION, terms and conditions apply.
Our Vision
To become Africa’s leading professional institution for public leadership development, professional recognition, standards advancement, and continental collaboration.
Our Mission
To professionalize public leadership across Africa through membership, fellowship, professional development, research, standards, networking, and institutional collaboration.
OUR POSITION
AIPL serves as Africa’s Professional Home for Public Leadership Practice and a continental Platform for Public Leadership Institutions.
The Institute works to strengthen public leadership as a recognized profession and provide a framework through which public leaders, governance practitioners, leadership institutions, and professional bodies can collaborate to advance leadership excellence across Africa.
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
The Institute seeks to:
- Advance professional public leadership practice.
- Promote ethical leadership and responsible governance.
- Encourage excellence in public service and public affairs.
- Support leadership development and capacity building.
- Foster professional standards in public leadership.
- Promote research, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
- Recognize excellence and achievement in public leadership.
- Build a vibrant community of public leadership practitioners.
- Facilitate collaboration among leadership institutions.
- Contribute to nation-building and societal transformation
MEMBERSHIP
AIPL operates a professional membership system designed to support leadership growth and professional recognition.
Graduate Member (GAIPL) – For graduates and emerging professionals interested in public leadership.
Associate Member (AAIPL) – For early and mid-career professionals actively engaged in leadership and public affairs.
Member (MAIPL) – For established professionals with demonstrated leadership responsibility and public impact.
Fellow (FAIPL) – For distinguished leaders with significant contributions to leadership, governance, public service, institution-building, or societal advancement.
Distinguished Fellow (DFAIPL) – A special distinction conferred upon selected Fellows in recognition of exceptional achievement and sustained contribution.
Honorary Fellow (HFAIPL) – The Institute’s highest honorary recognition.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
AIPL provides a structured progression pathway that enables individuals to grow from Graduate Membership through Fellowship based on demonstrated experience, leadership responsibility, ethical standing, and contribution to society.
A structured professional pathway enables members to progress through higher grades of membership: GAIPL → AAIPL → MAIPL → FAIPL → DFAIPL
AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP
In addition to individual membership, AIPL admits qualified institutions as Affiliate Members.
Eligible organizations include:
- Leadership Institutes
- Schools of Government
- Public Administration Institutes
- Governance Think Tanks
- Leadership Foundations
- National Leadership Organizations
- Public Policy Institutes
- Chartered Institutes of Public Leadership
- Professional Leadership Associations
Affiliate Membership promotes collaboration, knowledge exchange, professional development, and continental networking.
MEMBERSHIP SPREAD
Membership of AIPL is currently spread across Africa, USA, Canada, United Kindom and growing.
CONTINENTAL PUBLIC LEADERSHIP ECOSYSTEM
AIPL is committed to fostering a continental ecosystem of institutions dedicated to public leadership excellence.
The Institute recognizes that individual African countries may establish national Chartered Institutes of Public Leadership or equivalent professional bodies.
AIPL serves as a coordinating and collaborative platform through which such institutions may engage, cooperate, and contribute to the advancement of public leadership across Africa while maintaining their independence and autonomy.
RESEARCH, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY
The Institute promotes informed dialogue on leadership, governance, public policy, institution-building, citizenship, and societal transformation.
AIPL contributes to public discourse through:
- Research
- Publications
- Conferences
- Policy Dialogues
- Leadership Forums
- Professional Development Programmes
- Knowledge Networks
AREAS OF INTEREST
AIPL’s work spans:
- Public Leadership
- Governance
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Legislative Leadership
- Political Leadership
- Civic Leadership
- Ethical Leadership
- Institutional Development
- Public Service Reform
- Leadership Education
- Nation-Building
- Democracy and Citizenship
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
The Institute welcomes collaboration with:
- Governments
- Regional Organizations
- The African Union
- ECOWAS
- Development Partners
- Universities
- Schools of Government
- Leadership Institutes
- Professional Bodies
- Civil Society Organizations
- Research Institutions
GOVERNANCE
The Institute is governed through a framework that promotes accountability, professionalism, institutional continuity, and strategic leadership.
Its governance architecture includes:
- Governing Council
- President
- Registrar
- National Coordinators
- Standing Committees
- Secretariat
HERITAGE AND INSTITUTIONAL ROOTS
AIPL traces its origins to the Africa Centre for Public Leadership (ACPL) under FLED International Leadership Institute, established in 1999. FLED Institute and AIPL operates within the broader ecosystem of FLED Group Africa, a leadership, education, development, and social transformation network established in 1995.
OUR CONTINENTAL ASPIRATION
AIPL envisions an Africa where public leadership is recognized as a profession, where ethical and competent leadership is valued, and where institutions collaborate across national boundaries to strengthen governance, public service, and societal transformation.
The Institute seeks to contribute to the emergence of a strong continental community of public leadership practitioners and institutions dedicated to advancing Africa’s development and future.
WHAT WE DO
Leadership Community & Professional Fellowship
AIPL convenes a distinguished network of Members and Fellows drawn from governance, politics, business, media, academia, and civil society. This community serves as a platform for shared learning, collaboration, and influence.
Intellectual Discourse & Policy Conversations
We provide structured platforms for critical conversations on leadership, governance, and public policy—offering alternative voices and practical insights to address Africa’s leadership challenges.
Mentorship & Emerging Leaders Development
Through our network, we connect young professionals and aspiring leaders with experienced mentors, helping them prepare for responsible leadership roles in society.
Leadership Development Pathways
In partnership with FLED International Leadership Institute, AIPL supports structured learning programmes, faculty engagement, and leadership training initiatives designed for real-world impact.
Public Engagement & Advocacy
AIPL contributes to national and continental conversations through thought pieces, public statements, and strategic engagements aimed at promoting ethical leadership and societal progress.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
There are multiple pathways to engage with AIPL:
- Become a Member or Fellow
- Nominate or recommend qualified individuals for induction
- Serve as a mentor or faculty contributor
- Participate in leadership dialogues and convenings
- Act as a Goodwill Ambassador within your network
- Support scholarships and leadership development initiatives
NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR FELLOW OR HONOURARY FELLOW
Apply or Learn More: www.flededu.org/induction
Inquiries: +234 708 015 7176 | +234 906 306 9744
Who can apply to APL?
Qualified individuals and corporate organizations can apply. We welcome applications from individuals and organizations in the diaspora and Afro-Caribbeans.
GOVERNING COUNCIL
PASTOR. JOHN DARA, HFAIPL; MS. OLANIKE KOLAWOLE, HFAIPL; PROF. NKECHI M. AGWU, FAIPL; PROF. MABEL. I.E. EVWIERHOWA; MR. OBADIAH TOHOMDET, HFAIPL; MRS. LILIAN ADIELE; MR. IFEANYI OBIBUZOR, HFAIPL; PROF. JOSEPH C. IBEKWE, h.c FSGS (PRESIDENT)
FLED Group Africa is a family of social enterprise organizations working to promote human-centred development in Africa through education and economic enterprise.
For more information, contact
African Institute of Public Leadership
Nigeria Office
Plot MF 57 Cadastral Zone
KMC Street, Karu Site, Abuja
Tel: +234 -8068153116
Whatsapp: +234-708 015 7176
Email: acpl@flededu.org
AIPL…. Promoting excellence in public leadership
