Professor Kingsley Moghalu has announced his resignation as President and Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Governance (ASG), Rwanda, less than a year after assuming the leadership of the newly established graduate institution dedicated to shaping Africa’s next generation of public and private sector leaders.
Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a globally respected political economist and governance advocate, announced his resignation via a statement on his Facebook page on Tuesday, 29 July, 2025.
He cited concerns over corporate governance and the need for institutional and academic independence as key reasons for his departure. “There have been important challenges regarding corporate governance and institutional and academic independence. These remain indispensable requirements for the institution to succeed ultimately,” Moghalu stated.
Despite the early exit, Moghalu’s nine-month tenure at the helm of ASG was marked by rapid institutional development and bold pan-African outreach. He led the school from inception to operational readiness, assembling a world-class executive team, building robust academic and administrative systems, and spearheading strategic partnerships across the continent.
Under his leadership, ASG completed its inaugural “President’s Africa Tour,” covering six countries across four African sub-regions. The tour featured over 60 high-level engagements with ministers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, and students, promoting ASG’s mission to reimagine leadership and governance across the continent.
One of the most visible milestones of Moghalu’s tenure was the successful execution of ASG’s inaugural executive education programme, Transforming Countries: Becoming the Leader Your Country Needs. From July 8 to 10, the program drew 20 accomplished leaders – including former prime ministers, Speakers of Parliament, chief justices, cabinet ministers, and senior private sector figures – from 15 African countries.
He also oversaw the recruitment of ASG’s founding faculty and the first cohort of Master of Public Administration (MPA) students, set to begin in September 2025.
A prominent voice on issues of governance, institutional reform, and economic transformation in Africa, Moghalu’s departure is likely to raise questions about ASG’s long-term direction and independence. Though he did not elaborate on the specifics of the internal governance concerns, his statement underscores the delicate balance required to maintain academic freedom and integrity in emerging institutions.
Moghalu concluded his statement with a note of optimism and goodwill: “Starting from nothing but the vision of its founders, ASG, under my leadership, achieved much in a record nine months. I wish ASG continued success.”
Founded in 2024, the African School of Governance aims to provide rigorous academic and executive training for current and future African leaders. Positioned as a pan-African institution, ASG seeks to fill the continent’s leadership gaps through evidence-based teaching, values-driven leadership, and strong institutionalisation.
