Nigeria, Sept. 24 -- As Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (CFR) turns 60 today, much will rightly be said about his remarkable career in business, philanthropy, public service and family life. However, I want to focus on one idea that has animated an important part of his work: his belief that transforming Africa's public sector requires building a "critical mass" of capable public leaders. I have heard Aig use that phrase repeatedly and, having benefited from one of the initiatives through which he pursues this vision, I have often wondered what this proposition means for the enduring African question of how strong public institutions are built.

Former US President, Barack Obama's message to Ghana's Parliament in 2009 that "Africa doesn't need str...