Guardian

LANCASTER MBA Alumni Association has been set up in Nigeria to address the country’s unemployment and facilitate growth in the economy through entrepreneurship, said the Director of MBA Programmes in Lancaster University, Dr Jonathan Matheny.

He spoke at the forum of the alumni at Four Point Hotel By Sheraton in Lekki, with a theme: "Growth Opportunities in Nigeria."

He said besides providing opportunity for business networking, the Forum offers advisory support for professionals and business leaders in all spheres of life.

Matheny added: “The greatest investment usually is in human capital,” he said. “If you can empower a person on how to think with results, then the possibilities are limitless. I will say we are investing in the human mind. The success of our programme is evident in the achievements of our alumni which is almost obvious.”

He said the university sets out to offer lifetime partnership with the alumni.   “We support alumni even after completion of studies. We offer careers support, both in the UK and overseas, networking groups, memorabilia and discounts for families.”

Matheny said MBA helps achievers to become leaders in their respective fields. “It helps individuals to explore the leader within,” he said, adding that several of the alumni have moved into higher positions in Nigeria.

The guest speaker at the event, Accenture’s Head of Product Operating Group, Mrs. Juliet Anammah, who spoke on “Growth Opportunities in Nigeria,” said vast opportunities opened to Nigerian entrepreneurs especially in the consumer goods segment.

She acknowledged that though there were numerous constraints against small businesses, aspiring businessmen should make a difference in the available opportunities in the country.

She enumerated areas as agro-business where sorghum, cassava and cocoa have industrial appeal; fish farming and online business segment, where online shopping is taking roots, that the Lancaster alumni should embrace.

An alumna and MTN’s Human Resources Executive, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, speaking on the benefits of the alumni forum, said there was need for synergy and networking for business development, especially among youths.