Reflection on Learnings at Lagos Business School (LBS)

It is common knowledge that the educational system in Nigeria is gradually deteriorating since government finds it difficult to meet up with the running cost of this system. Here lies the question, where can my desire for quality MBA education be met?

My colleagues and friends review and experience of my list of universities within proximity aid my decision to apply for the MBA program in LBS as their experience of quality education received was phenomenal and the described serenity of the environment seems like other Ivy League schools.

Halfway into my screening progress, it was clear to me what the schools’ objectives are- the development of persons. Writing of entering level exams, interview screenings with a minimum of two faculty and having two different school senates reviewing performance before being shortlisted shows that integrity is a culture practiced in LBS.

My first visit to the school environment created a striking impression, from a well-dressed and courteous security guard at the entrance of the school’s premises, to the beautiful, serene environment and well-laid-out artwork that depicts good teachings and knowledge of wealth to be unlocked. I also observed the school’s interest in job creation for the students of both LBS and its sister schools, where the catering school is allowed to manage the affairs of the LBS cafeteria. I was convinced it’s an environment I want to be part of for the next two years where I see positivity, well-dressed people, the willingness of everyone around to assist, and assurance of the security of properties on campus.

I was filled with excitement on my first day in school. Sitting next to executives with a wealth of experience, I wondered what their objectives were to enrol for MBA in LBS as some have MBAs from other institutions. This made me a little anxious and I began to deliberate on what the school senate committee intended to achieve to have made such selections. In no time, I had clarity of thought as I heard executives express what they plan to achieve at the end of the program. This reminds me of the famous quote, “in learning, you will teach, and in teaching, you will learn”- Phil Collins. This quote was evident in all classes as one’s contributions to the topic taught attract a mark that forms part of the assessment. So, executives are expected to prepare ahead of every class to have a meaningful contribution to class sessions. Contributions from executives showed that we expect the faculty to conform with our knowledge of the subject matter, on the contrary, the faculty is there to tell vital aspects we most times pay less attention to.

The flexibility of faculty style and courses shows the school’s interest to meet the student at a common ground and the objective to develop responsible leaders. Using study methodology brings out new ideas from students and shows how people’s lives are related and how the preferred solution can be applied to resolving similar issues in other’s life.

Faculty adopt different teaching styles to ensure that the objective of their teachings is met. For example, the playing of music was adopted by the faculty that introduced the course emotional intelligence. It was like teaching a toddler phonics with rhymes as the lessons learned played as melody in my mind. Immediately, I began to think of how best to handle colleagues that are not good team players to achieve results in the quickest possible time. The ability to control the Amygdala (a part of the brain) and to apply the left part that is associated with positive emotions was the highlight. The lack of control of the Amygdala may lead to emotional hijack. Also, taking the emotional intelligence assessment to ascertain one’s level of emotional intelligence was another knowledge gained.

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