DO YOU MEAN A BUSINESS DEGREE?

By Dr.Barry

It is 8:45 pm local time, and the plane taxi to a stop. Everyone is eager to get off the plane; after all, it has been a long 12-hour flight from San Francisco. Lagos, here I come. It has been almost 5years since I last visited Lagos; then, the city was remembered for the chaotic traffic and fast pace of Life. But one thing is sure: the citizens know how to enjoy themselves.

As we descended from the plane heading towards immigration, I heard a deep baritone voice, “Dr. Barry”, welcome to Lagos. The voice was not completely strange; I turned and found out it was Alhaji Musa, a patient I treated 20 years ago as a young doctor in Kaduna State during my National Youth Service Corp. Wow, I screened “what a small world”. Alhaji Musa is now old, but his broad, charming smile hasn’t changed. He is now a Major General with the Nigerian Army and heads one of the elite units. As we moved into the immigration post, his influence was palpable; his boys swarmed us like bees. They ushered us through the VIP section with a lot of salutes. Routine immigration checks were fast-tracked at the speed of light. I pondered, “This is Naija”; rules are adjusted for the elite.

As we settled down in a waiting Military vehicle, Gen. asked Doc, “What are you doing, and what brought you to Lagos? I replied, Sir, I am a global health expert, currently embarking on an Executive Master with Lagos Business School; you mean a business degree? Yes, I responded in affirmation.

Like General Musa, most people wonder what a medical doctor does in a business school. It has been about three months since I commenced my journey to the Lagos Business School. It has been one of my most rewarding decisions in recent years. With over 20 years of experience in medicine and international development, with relevant professional certification, there was a hunger for more. What could this be? Suddenly, I realized that the public health landscape is rapidly changing, and my current experience and skillset needed to be better to lead the next generation of medical entrepreneurs. Over the last two decades, my worldview was through the lens of a medic rather than as a business leader with medical expertise. To bridge this gap, a business degree is inevitable and non-negotiable.

Then Why Lagos Business School. Although there are various elite business schools globally, Lagos Business School was my destination of choice for several reasons. I am a firm believer in the African Renaissance. Nigeria, with its humongous natural resources and bulging young population, is a strategic asset and gateway to the largely untapped African Market. Lagos embodies the Nigerian spirit, the melting point of true Nigerian diversity, the city of all possibilities. Located in this city is a reputation Business School with a global rating- THE LAGOS BUSINESS SCHOOL. Apart from its brand recognition, one of the things that set LBS apart is the quality of its faculties; it is the right mix of experience and exposure.

Furthermore, I am excited about the quality and level of diversity of the student community. I can connect and network with some excellent minds and prospective global leaders. The comradeship has been extraordinary, and the support system is truly commendable.

I am thrilled to be traversing this path at this career stage. Within the next 48 months, a new me will emerge. It has been a rough start; sometimes, the mould of lecture delivery and the pace of assignments and tasks remind me of my days in medical school. It has been a baptism of fire.

Finally, I would reaffirm that ” Yes, I mean a business degree.”