Omotunde Odedeyi

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“I am goal oriented, passionate about change, and invested in helping others.”

Hometown: Abeokuta, Ogun-State Nigeria

Undergraduate School and Major:

Redeemers University BSc. Economics

University of Lagos Msc. Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

African Export – Import Bank , (Afreximbank) – Consultant, Capital Management and rating agencies

What word best describes the Chicago Booth MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far ? Helpful

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Chicago Booth’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The choice-rich culture. The system here is one that understands your need to choose and respects the choices you make. A big part of that is the flexible curriculum; while researching B-schools, I was very excited to learn about this top MBA program that affords you the opportunity to design your MBA experience with minimal restrictions. Now that I am here, I see a solid system of support, but you are ultimately responsible for what the two years will look like. I see how this system builds intentional leaders.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago Booth? The LEAD course. Prior to coming to Booth, everyone I spoke with had such great things to say about how transformational the course is. Now that I am here and we have started, I see what they mean. I am not sure anyone can fully describe the core of LEAD, you have to experience it.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My Manager went on maternity leave and I had to step up to assist other managers with the review of her work area. It was very challenging, but I pulled it off. The experience gave me an accelerated experience of being a manager.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? My career is just a small part of who I am. Prior to COVID-19, I had gotten so sucked into the rat race of work and my relationships paid for it. COVID-19 forced me to review and re-align my priorities.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? My biggest motivation is my need for change, both in my career and world perspective. Immediately post-MBA, I will pursue a career in consulting and in the long-run, focus on development work in Africa.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? Demonstrate solid knowledge of the program at Booth, be your authentic self, approach the application from a holistic perspective.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2023