Patricia Nonny Ugboma

Patricia is a PhD student at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose.

Patricia’s research aims to link the literature on development with the literature on dynamic capabilities, working towards establishing the role of dynamic public sector capabilities for Nigeria’s development. The research will ascertain the needed (dynamic) capabilities required for development to take place and for government to be a market shaper to help solve societal challenges. It also seeks to understand the evolution of capabilities in the Nigerian public sector by considering historical contextual factors that led to the level of development of the Nigerian state and the emergence of the public sector. In doing so it will establish the relationship between the way that Nigeria has developed and the existence (or absence) of different types of capabilities to develop a new set of lenses.

With over 25 years of professional experience, and 13 years leading the top corporate foundation in Nigeria, Patricia has a track record in commercial and policy issues in the telecoms industry, corporate social investments in healthcare and education, and the energy sector. She is passionate about resolving societal problems, collaboratively, with governments and other stakeholders and has implemented impactful projects in 850 sites in Nigeria costing approx. £80 million. In 2019, she was awarded one of the Top 50 most inspiring women in Nigeria by BusinessDay Newspaper.

Patricia graduated from the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose’s Master of Public Administration programme with Distinction in 2020. She also has a BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Financial Analysis at the University of Warwick; and an MSc in International Management, from King’s College, London.