The Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, has appointed Dr Nonny Patricia Ugboma as Executive Director, Policy and Programmes and Chief Summit Officer.
Her appointment took effect on Monday, August 3, 2026, following approval by the NESG Board of Directors, a statement said.
The Group, in a statement on Wednesday issued by Dr Tayo Aduloju,Chief Executive Officer, NESG, said the appointment reflects its commitment to strengthening executive leadership with seasoned professionals who will advance its mandate of promoting sustainable economic development, inclusive growth, and private sector-led transformation in Nigeria.
In her dual role, Dr Ugboma will provide strategic leadership across the NESG’s policy programming, public-private dialogue, Policy Commissions and Platforms, major programmes, strategic convenings, and the Nigerian Economic Summit.
NESG noted that her expertise is expected to deepen the Group’s impact in shaping policy and driving national conversations on economic reform.
She will also oversee stakeholder engagement, programme and partnership development, and the monitoring and implementation of summit and policy recommendations to strengthen the Group’s dialogue-to-execution agenda.
Dr Ugboma is a corporate leader, public-value strategist, board director, and scholar-practitioner with more than 25 years of professional experience spanning finance, telecommunications, corporate social investment, institutional development, energy, innovation policy, and sustainable development.
Dr Ugboma built an accomplished career across finance, strategy, telecommunications, and corporate social investment before joining the NESG
She joined MTN Nigeria in 2003 as a Business Planner and Financial Analyst before serving as Executive Secretary of the MTN Nigeria Foundation from January 2009 to March 2021.
During her tenure, she led large-scale social investments in education, healthcare, youth and economic empowerment, and arts and culture, working with governments, communities, educational institutions, healthcare organisations, private-sector partners, and other stakeholders to deliver impactful programmes across approximately 850 project locations nationwide.
Dr Ugboma’s career has been marked by her ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives that deliver measurable social and institutional impact.
Her experience spans programme strategy, partnership development, institutional strengthening, innovation policy, and sustainable development, with a strong focus on translating strategy into implementation and creating long-term public value.
She holds a PhD in Innovation and Public Policy from the University College London Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, where her doctoral research explored the role of public sector dynamic capabilities in implementing reforms, coordinating complex stakeholder ecosystems, and creating sustainable public value.
She also holds a Master of Public Administration, completed with Distinction, from University College London; an MSc in International Management from King’s College London; and a BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Financial Analysis from the University of Warwick.
As Executive Director, Policy and Programmes & Chief Summit Officer, Dr Ugboma will lead the NESG’s efforts to strengthen policy coherence, deepen public-private dialogue, enhance programme delivery, and reinforce the implementation of summit outcomes.
Her appointment brings together the strategic discipline of a finance and corporate executive, the delivery experience of a national programme leader, and the intellectual grounding of a public policy scholar, positioning the NESG to further strengthen its role as Nigeria’s leading policy think tank and a trusted platform for driving evidence-based reforms.
The NESG expressed confidence that Dr Ugboma’s wealth of leadership experience, strategic insight, and commitment to institutional excellence will further strengthen the Group’s policy, programme, and summit delivery capabilities while advancing its mission of shaping reforms that promote investment, competitiveness, productivity, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
