Policy, Governance
and Transformation
From Vision to National Transformation
A professional certification pathway built on the Policy, Governance and Transformation Body of Knowledge — the integrated framework that harmonises guidance from the OECD, the United Nations, the World Bank, the African Union, the IMF and ISO into one practical discipline. Five levels take you from understanding governance to shaping nations.
The certification pathway
Better policies. Stronger governance. Lasting transformation. Better lives for all.
The Programme
Governance is a profession.
It deserves a body of knowledge.
Project management has PMBOK. Business analysis has BABOK. Service management has ITIL. Public policy and governance had nothing comparable — until now.
Knowledge about how to govern well is real, but it is scattered across hundreds of reports, recommendations, standards and frameworks issued by different institutions. Each is authoritative on its own. Together they are difficult to apply as one system.
The Policy, Governance and Transformation Body of Knowledge synthesises that guidance into a single practical framework — and the PGT certifications teach it, level by level. Each level is a complete qualification. Each is also preparation for the next.
Foundation is free and self-paced, so cost is never the reason a capable public servant stays where they are.
Policy determines what should be done. Governance determines how it is managed. Transformation determines whether lasting results are achieved.
The Progression
Certification Architecture
Five levels, one coherent pathway
Each level has its own focus, audience and duration. Find the one that matches the decisions on your desk today — then keep climbing.
PGT Foundation
Awareness and principles
Free · Self-pacedPGT Executive
Governance and policy leadership
5 DaysPGT Practitioner
Policy design and implementation
10 DaysPGT Professional
Government transformation and performance
15 DaysPGT Leader
National transformation leadership
20 DaysThe Certifications
The five PGT certifications
Each certification carries its own course code, body of knowledge, audience, curriculum and outcome. Read the level that fits your role — or the one above it.
PGT Foundation
Introduction to Policy, Governance and National Transformation
Target audience
- New public servants
- Graduate trainees
- Civil society and NGOs
- University students
- Researchers
- Development practitioners
Body of knowledge
2 definitive references OECD Policy Framework on Sound Public Governance · UN Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Course outline
- Introduction to public policy
- OECD sound public governance
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Public governance values
- Public policy lifecycle
- Governance institutions
- National transformation
- Introduction to the PGT Framework
Learning objectives
- Explain the principles of sound public governance
- Understand the SDGs
- Describe the policy lifecycle
- Explain the relationship between governance and development
- Understand the PGT Framework
PGT Executive
Strategic Policy, Governance and Public Sector Performance
Target audience
- Directors
- Commissioners
- Heads of departments
- Senior policy officers
- Strategy managers
- Development partner staff
Body of knowledge
Approximately 12 global references OECD recommendations on integrity, open government, regulatory policy, budgetary governance, digital government and public service leadership · UN 2030 Agenda, UNDP and E-Government Survey · World Bank governance indicators and GovTech Maturity Index · African Union Agenda 2063
Course outline
- Strategic public governance
- Policy analysis
- Public integrity
- Government leadership
- Regulatory governance
- Budgetary governance
- Digital government
- Open government
- SDG integration
- Government performance
Learning objectives
- Improve policy formulation
- Strengthen governance systems
- Align the SDGs with government priorities
- Improve public sector performance
- Build citizen trust
PGT Practitioner
Policy Design, Delivery and National Development
Target audience
- Policy specialists
- Programme managers
- Monitoring and evaluation specialists
- Government consultants
- Reform teams
Body of knowledge
20+ references — everything in Executive, plus OECD Public Governance Reviews, policy coherence and RIA frameworks · UNDESA integrated planning, UNDP results-based management, UN VNR Handbook · World Bank M&E frameworks, public expenditure reviews and CPIA · AU Agenda 2063 implementation framework and APRM · ISO 37000 and ISO 31000
Course outline
- Policy research
- Policy design
- Regulatory impact assessment
- Programme design
- Results-based management
- Risk management
- Stakeholder management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Performance measurement
- Policy improvement
Learning objectives
- Design evidence-based policy
- Conduct regulatory impact analysis
- Build implementation frameworks
- Manage policy risks
- Evaluate programmes
PGT Professional
Government Transformation, Innovation and Institutional Excellence
Target audience
- Permanent secretaries
- Directors-general
- Agency heads
- Transformation directors
- Chief strategy officers
Body of knowledge
30+ references — everything in Practitioner, plus OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation and public procurement · UN public administration studies and E-Government Development Index · World Bank World Development Report, PFM resources and GovTech cases · AU anti-corruption convention and Charter on Values and Principles of Public Service · ISO 56000, ISO 9001 and ISO 22301
Course outline
- Institutional transformation
- Strategic execution
- Portfolio governance
- Digital government
- Innovation management
- Public financial governance
- Organisational change
- National resilience
- Performance excellence
- Transformation programme
Learning objectives
- Lead institutional reform
- Improve public sector innovation
- Strengthen resilience
- Drive digital government
- Improve organisational performance
PGT Leader
Leading National Transformation and Future Government
Target audience
- Ministers
- Governors
- Members of parliament
- Heads of civil service
- Presidential advisers
- National planning commission executives
- Development partner country directors
Body of knowledge
40+ references — everything in Professional, plus OECD Government at a Glance, Trust in Government indicators and country governance reviews · UN Human Development Reports and Global Sustainable Development Report · World Bank development reports and governance indicators · AU Agenda 2063 M&E framework, African Governance Architecture and AfCFTA resources · IMF Fiscal Transparency Code and PIMA
Course outline
- Future government
- National competitiveness
- Systems leadership
- Whole-of-government transformation
- Economic policy
- Institutional reform
- Strategic foresight
- National resilience
- Legacy leadership
- National transformation master plan
Learning objectives
- Shape national transformation agendas
- Lead whole-of-government reforms
- Build future-ready institutions
- Improve economic competitiveness
- Influence regional and global governance
The Body of Knowledge
One reference base, deepening at every level
The PGT-BoK does not reinvent public governance. It integrates what the world's leading institutions have already established into a single framework — and each certification carries everything below it, plus more.
OECD
The Policy Framework on Sound Public Governance and the recommendations on integrity, open government, regulatory policy, budgeting, digital government and public service leadership.
United Nations
The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, UNDP governance and results-based management guidance, UNDESA planning guidance and the E-Government Survey.
World Bank
Worldwide Governance Indicators, GovTech Maturity Index, public expenditure reviews, CPIA and the World Development Report.
African Union
Agenda 2063 and its implementation and M&E frameworks, the African Peer Review Mechanism, the African Governance Architecture and AfCFTA.
International Monetary Fund
The Fiscal Transparency Code and the Public Investment Management Assessment (PIMA).
ISO
ISO 37000 governance, ISO 31000 risk, ISO 56000 innovation, ISO 9001 quality and ISO 22301 business continuity.
Twelve knowledge domains
Three pillars hold it together. Policy establishes direction. Governance provides capability. Transformation delivers results. Sustainable national development is achieved only when all three function as one integrated system.
Compare
Which level is yours?
The five certifications side by side — focus, duration, reference base and the audience each level is written for.
| FoundationPGT 100 | ExecutivePGT 200 | PractitionerPGT 300 | ProfessionalPGT 400 | LeaderPGT 500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progression | Understand | Apply | Design & implement | Transform | Shape nations |
| Primary focus | Awareness and principles | Governance and policy leadership | Policy design and implementation | Government transformation and performance | National transformation leadership |
| Duration | Free · self-paced | 5 days | 10 days | 15 days | 20 days |
| Body of knowledge | 2 definitive references | ~12 references | 20+ references | 30+ references | 40+ references |
| Modules | 8 modules | 10 modules | 10 modules | 10 modules | 10 modules |
| Written for | New public servants, graduates, civil society, students, researchers | Directors, commissioners, heads of department, senior policy officers | Policy specialists, programme managers, M&E specialists, reform teams | Permanent secretaries, directors-general, agency and transformation heads | Ministers, governors, legislators, heads of civil service, presidential advisers |
| You leave able to | Explain governance, the SDGs and the policy lifecycle | Design stronger policies and improve public value | Design, deliver, evaluate and improve policies and programmes | Lead transformation programmes and build innovative institutions | Lead national transformation and leave an enduring legacy |
Scroll the table sideways to compare all five levels →
Enrolling
Four steps to a cohort
Individuals, teams and whole institutions can enrol. Foundation is free and open to all.
Choose your level
Match the level to the decisions your role actually carries. When in doubt, take the one above.
Tell us your context
Whether you are enrolling as an individual, a team, a ministry, an agency or a partner organisation.
Confirm your cohort
We schedule against your calendar and confirm the arrangements before the programme begins.
Begin, and keep climbing
Complete the level, earn the certification, and carry it forward to the next when you are ready.
Questions
Before you enrol
Do I have to start at Foundation?
Each level is a complete certification in its own right, and the levels are written for different audiences rather than as a single compulsory sequence. Foundation is free and self-paced, so many participants take it first regardless — it establishes the shared vocabulary the later levels build on.
Is PGT Foundation really free?
Yes. Foundation is free and self-paced, built on two definitive references: the OECD Policy Framework on Sound Public Governance and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
What is the PGT Body of Knowledge?
The PGT-BoK is an integrated framework that brings together globally recognised guidance from the OECD, United Nations, World Bank, African Union, IMF and ISO into one practical system, organised around three pillars and twelve knowledge domains. The certifications teach it level by level.
How does each level differ from the one below?
By what you are expected to do with the knowledge: understand it at Foundation, apply it at Executive, design and implement with it at Practitioner, transform institutions with it at Professional, and shape national agendas with it at Leader. The reference base deepens accordingly, from 2 documents to more than 40.
Can a ministry or agency enrol a whole cohort?
Yes. Ministries, agencies, state governments, development partners, universities and companies can enrol groups. Contact the programme team with your numbers and the outcome you need.
Is the programme relevant outside Nigeria?
Yes. The reference base is global — OECD, UN, World Bank, IMF and ISO — and explicitly continental through African Union Agenda 2063, the African Peer Review Mechanism and the African Governance Architecture.