Dr. Chidi Amadi

London Business School

“A package of unwavering conscientiousness, tangible humility and undiluted dedication to progress.”

Hometown: London, United Kingdom

Fun Fact About Yourself: I embarked on a lifestyle change and lost 30kg in weight (fat) over three months before starting medical school!

Undergraduate School and Major:

King’s College London

Two degrees: 1) Medicine MBBS, 2) Pharmacology BSc – First Class Honours

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: NHS (National Health Service), Medical Doctor in Emergency Medicine

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I served as Co-founder and current Chair of Governors of Michaela Community School in Wembley, London (inner-city London), a school focused on knowledge and discipline with a proud motto of “Work hard. Be kind.” The school has been judged as OUTSTANDING by the official schools’ inspectors (OFSTED) and we as a team have been approved to expand and change more lives by opening another school in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Inspirational! Every single classmate I have met has a unique story, journey, and a long list of concrete achievements both in their personal lives and in society. The diversity in the backgrounds and countries of origin demonstrates the weighty importance that London Business School places on ensuring that the cohort is as international and well-rounded as possible.

What is the best part of coming to London to earn your MBA? London is a world-class city! I know this because I was born in London; I grew up in London; I went to school in London; I attended university in London and practiced as a medical doctor in London. Truly amazing experiences! I have international prospects after my MBA, but I am pleased to say that I have fully exploited the immense benefits available in the city of London. I look forward to the rest of the world coming to London in the form of my classmates so that we can enrich each other synergistically.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? “Where will your MBA take you?” – This is the question that London Business School asks of prospective students and rightly so! The MBA programme at London Business School is comparable to none. It is truly unique in the flexibility and international outlook that it affords students, and this was the main attraction for me.

I knew that in choosing this programme, the entire globe and its opportunities would be unlocked and my MBA would be my own personalized degree – an experience that I would have shaped from the many options carefully made available at my fingertips. With a choice of more than 70 electives, I knew that the MBA at LBS would allow me to learn from other students across the entire business school and abroad. Corporate strategy, fixed income securities, and emerging markets are the most attractive electives, but I know I can do 10 – 12 electives as flexibly as my schedule permits to broaden my horizon and better equip me for what I wish to pursue post-MBA. The best part of the customizable aspects of the curriculum is the Global Business Experience and it is so important to me because I will have the opportunity to implement the frameworks of “the LBS way” in unfamiliar territory and different markets around the world (A choice of seven: South Africa, Israel, India, China, Peru, Myanmar or Brazil) whilst learning from different cultures and extending my base of knowledge. As the motto boldly declares: To have a profound impact on the way the world does business.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Africa Club, Healthcare Club, Treks (student-led expeditions in various parts of the world).

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? Would your story change in an interview next year if you did not get an offer from LBS this year?

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I have practiced as a medical doctor for three years and realized that, although I am a competent medical practitioner, medicine is not my passion. In life, it is important to be immersed in a career that combines one’s passion and proficiency. After a lot of research and networking, I came to the firm conclusion that a career in banking or consulting is what I wish to pursue. The best way to make this career change and develop my skills was to pursue an MBA at a world-class business school.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Harvard.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I determined my fit at schools by doing a lot of research and prioritized the following three factors: curriculum, culture, and faculty. I attended open days/evenings, spoke directly with alumni, read prospectuses, tuned into webinars, received word-of-mouth insights and evaluated rankings. The culture of the business schools was best understood by speaking directly with alumni and current students.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? It was a conversation with my parents when I was 12 years of age about responsibility. I was told in no uncertain terms that life is rough and how it ought to be about meaning. The crux of the message was how meaning in life is found in the adoption of responsibility by finding a load to lift, successfully lifting it in spite of life’s challenges, and increasing the weight each time. This advice shaped me because it added depth to my understanding of the world and concretized my conscientiousness – both of which have served me well and opened doors.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? A successful career in banking or consulting, happily married with children, and with a platform to continue producing positive societal changes both in the UK and Nigeria.