The African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM), in partnership with eLearnLXD, is pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for eligible AAPAM members in good standing to pursue the Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) offered by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
This partnership responds to the growing demand for accessible, flexible, and high-quality postgraduate education for public servants and managers across Africa. It represents a shared commitment to advancing professional excellence, innovation, and leadership in public administration through digitally enabled learning and training.
Bridging the Skills Gap in Africa’s Public Sector
During his presentation at the Academic Leadership Summit (ALS) – 2024, Prof. George Scott, Secretary General of AAPAM, underscored the urgency of strengthening professional development systems across the continent.
“Africa faces various challenges in professional development, including limited access to quality training programmes, budget constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of skilled trainers. As a result, effective service delivery remains a challenge,” Prof. Scott noted.
“Public servants, we all know, play a vital role in shaping the continent’s development trajectory. They are the backbone of any government, implementing policies, delivering essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and upholding the rule of law. This is especially critical in Africa’s diverse nations, fostering unity and shared goals.”
The new AAPAM–eLearnLXD Scholarship Initiative directly addresses these challenges by providing affordable access to digital learning opportunities that equip public officials with advanced managerial, policy, and leadership skills needed to drive transformation across Africa’s governance institutions.
Empowering Africa’s Public Sector through Digital Education
The collaboration between AAPAM and eLearnLXD seeks to equip Africa’s public administrators and policymakers with the competencies required to strengthen governance, improve policy implementation, and enhance institutional performance.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Online MPA, delivered through the eLearnAfricaLXD Learning Management System (LMS), combines academic rigor with practical relevance. Its curriculum integrates key areas such as public policy, strategic management, human resource management, public finance, ethics in governance, and research methodology — preparing graduates to lead transformation within their organizations and communities.
Prof. Chikelue Ofuebe, Professor of Public Administration and Local Government and former Director, Directorate of International Collaboration, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative, stating: “The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is a land-grant institution created to recruit and nurture well-grounded intellectuals with enormous capacity for innovative problem-solving strategies in the world. Consequently, her Online MPA programme stands as an ingenious Afrocentric model for purposeful collaboration in effective and efficient human capital development fit for the global community. As a result, with AAPAM and eLearnLXD, UNN is synergetically linking the expertise of African scholars, professionals, and the diaspora to create a shared platform for critical leadership development. This partnership embodies Africa’s collective commitment to strengthening governance, accountability, and service delivery through inclusive digital education. Therefore, without hesitation, I strongly encourage aspiring public sector leaders and other intellectually minded personalities and organizations to take advantage of this opportunity offered by the UNN Online MPA programme to acquire and utilize the skills, values, and global perspectives needed to drive meaningful change in the private and public sectors in the global community.”
Beyond Scholarships: Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration
In addition to scholarship opportunities, the partnership will also organize information sessions and webinars to engage stakeholders, share insights, and promote collaboration in the field of public administration.
It will further facilitate research, joint publications, and dissemination of best practices in online learning, leadership development, and public sector management. These initiatives are designed to foster a continent-wide learning ecosystem that strengthens capacity, accountability, and innovation across Africa’s public service institutions.
A Model for Inclusive and Flexible Learning
Through this partnership, AAPAM members may qualify for partial or full scholarships to enroll in the UNN Online MPA, allowing them to pursue a world-class master’s degree while balancing their professional responsibilities.
The online model offers flexibility, affordability, and inclusivity, enabling public officials and practitioners from all parts of Africa to benefit from the programme without geographic limitations.
Applications Now Open
Applications for the UNN Online MPA are now open. Interested AAPAM members are encouraged to apply and indicate their interest in the AAPAM–eLearnLXD Scholarship during the application process.
- Apply here: https://forms.gle/Nw1iysnsBDsoLe2w8
- Learn more about the programme: https://aapam.netlify.app/
About the African Association for Public Administration and Management(AAPAM)
The African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) is a continental body dedicated to promoting excellence, innovation, and professionalism in public administration and management in Africa. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and capacity building to strengthen governance and service delivery across the continent.
About eLearnLXD, an eLearnAfricaLMS Company
In 2016, eLearnAfrica entered a partnership agreement with the Association of African Universities (AAU); one that would expand online learning opportunities for students enrolled in the AAU’s over 400 member institutions and other universities not yet under the umbrella of the prestigious AAU. The target was to make educational opportunities available to about 10 million African students. In pursuing this agenda, the AAU-eLearnAfricaLMS was birthed and launched at the 15th Quadrennial AAU General Conference of African University Leaders, on 7th July 2021.
About the University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN)
The University of Nigeria is a top federal-controlled public university located in Southeastern Nigeria. It is commonly referred to as UNN. The University was founded in 1955 and on October 7, 1960, was formally opened for academic operations. It has three campuses – Nsukka (the main campus), Enugu, and ItukuOzalla, all in Nigeria. UNN has 17 Faculties, and 102 academic Departments and offers 106 undergraduate programs, and 211 postgraduate programs.
