My Journey Through an MBA Programme at The Lagos Business School – I

Being a graduate of Civil Engineering and someone whom, during his formative years attended an all science-subjects secondary school, I had little or no exposure to Business, Commerce, Social Science or Art domain. However, an MSc programme which I completed in 2007 gave me a taste of social science. It was a blend of Oil and Gas Engineering and some business studies. Precisely the course, founded by a British Entrepreneur, Larry Kinch. started with “Hydrocarbon Enterprises” as its name before taking another name “Oil and Gas Enterprise Management”. The course was bearing the latter name when I joined the University of Aberdeen for the MSc programme.

Since after my graduation, I had developed an interest in pursuing an MBA programme to further consolidate the Social Science knowledge I was introduced to in Scotland. Life is not about Brick and Mortar, after all.  I took some time review and appraise number of universities  offering MBA in Nigeria. The cost of MBA programme outside Nigeria, in Europe or North America is prohibitive – it is different ball game all together.

My radar turned and focused on the Lagos Business School (LBS). It fit in naturally inside my criteria of finding a modern school that has facilitators with practical knowledge of management sciences with modern facilities and participatory learning environment. Additionally, I have considered the location of the business school – Lagos, Nigeria. Lagos being the business hub of Nigeria and one of the biggest in Africa will, undoubtfully, give the LBS an advantage of having first-hand information regarding entrepreneurship of all sizes and shapes with first-hand insight and data on African and global business landscape.  

I quite believe the LBS students will benefits from the experience of resource persons in the LBS whom some I have watched over the years analysing the Nigerian economy with an in-depth knowledge and experience.

I went to make the first “click” on the LBS application page, rather casually. I filled in a form and within few moment an acknowledgment of the application. I was impressed. I received calls and emails with offers of helping hands to assist in completing the application. The encounter was calming and encouraging, and it propelled me into completing the application form within the window provided.

I received a confirmation to go ahead and schedule a test. It such a long time since I took a test similar to GRE or GMAT. I was push by hope and faith to go ahead and write the test. I downloaded an app that simulate some GMAT test. I used it to prepare for test on an average of thirty minutes within twenty-four hours. Eventually, I sat for the test, on a Saturday morning at the dining area of my house, after eating fried yam and sipping some tea. The result for the test was announced to me immediately after finishing the test. I was called for a virtual interview. I couldn’t make it on the first schedule time because of excruciating toothache that visited me during the week. The pain subsided and interview done and later received an admission letter via email.

The first virtual class I attended was on Corporate Financial Accounting. I came to realised that I had missed three classes. It was obvious because the class was engrossed in the discussion of “Assets” and “ Liabilities” and everything in between.

To be continued……