Temitope Abina

Programmes Analyst (Capacity Building)

Our Gap Closer of the month, Temitope Abina, Programme Analyst (Capacity Building), speaks about her work at the Foundation and what she finds most rewarding about it. “It’s one thing to acknowledge the challenges we face as a nation, but it’s another to take action. I am privileged to be part of a system that translates vision into impact, not just discussions into rhetoric,” she says. 

Please share your educational and professional background

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Management and International Business. I began my career as a Customer Service Representative at a Microfinance Bank, where I engaged with customers daily, resolving complaints, providing information, maintaining customer records, and ensuring client satisfaction.

I later transitioned to a Healthcare Staffing Agency as a Human Resource and Operations Assistant, where I worked closely with hospitals and laboratories to understand their staffing needs and match them with the most suitable professionals. Additionally, I spearheaded social media engagement strategies to improve brand visibility and outreach.  

What inspired you to pursue a career in the development sector?

My passion for the development sector was largely fuelled by my volunteering experiences. I was consistently involved in community-based initiatives, youth development programmes, and awareness campaigns. One of my most impactful experiences was leading a team of five to design and implement a career development and pathway programme for 200 senior secondary school students.

Seeing firsthand how strategic interventions can transform lives reinforced my desire to contribute meaningfully to society. This inspired me to pursue a career in the development space, where I could support causes that drive sustainable change. I’m grateful that I now get to do this in my current role at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.

What do you do at the Foundation?

As a Programmes Analyst, I am responsible for the planning and execution of training programmes, which includes developing the training concept and framework; conducting stakeholder engagement and needs assessments; liaising with third-party organisations for the development and delivery of the training curriculum, overseeing the execution and logistics of training sessions; and conducting monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities to assess the impact of our initiatives.

What does your typical day look like?

My day typically starts with outlining my to-do list and attending team meetings to discuss project activities and strategic initiatives. Throughout the day, I update our project management tool to track team tasks and progress; develop and write concept notes for upcoming programmes; plan logistics arrangements for beneficiaries and stakeholders, design, administer, and analyse surveys for program assessment; write reports and document key insights.

It’s a dynamic mix of planning, coordinating, engaging stakeholders, and executing programs, with each day bringing new challenges and opportunities to drive impact.

What makes the work that we do at the Foundation unique?

What sets our work at the Foundation apart is our commitment to carving out a distinct niche, focused on transformative impact in the public service. We are dedicated to cultivating change agents who drive meaningful reforms, ultimately enhancing the lives of everyday citizens across Nigeria and the African continent. By prioritising the transformation of public service in African nations, we believe that we can create a ripple effect that leads to a better Africa and improved living standards for its citizens.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

What I find most rewarding about my work is the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a cause that drives Nigeria’s progress and development. It’s one thing to acknowledge the challenges we face as a nation, but it’s another to take action. I am privileged to be part of a system that translates vision into impact, not just discussions into rhetoric. I work within a community that is deeply committed to a better, more efficient Nigeria, actively shaping the transformation of the public sector through strategic initiatives and impactful projects that drive sustainable change.