Ridwan Abdulsalam

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“I am an ambitious person who strives for excellence in everything I do.”

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: Joining the military was my preferred career choice while growing up.

Undergraduate School and Major: Kwara State University, Nigeria; BS in accounting.

Chartered Accountant, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Dangote Group PLC (Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest cement company), Corporate Finance and Investor Relations Analyst

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The experiential learning opportunities available at UNC Kenan Flagler Business School are incredible. I had always wanted a school that adopts innovative and practical teaching methods which allow students to develop a hands-on understanding of concepts taught in the classroom. UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School meets the specification of an innovative school. UNC Kenan-Flagler offers a uniquely practical learning experience through its STAR (Student Teams Achieving Results) program. This course gives MBA students an opportunity to collaborate with corporate partners on solving complex real-life business problems while advancing their technical and soft skills for successful careers.

What has been your first impression of the Kenan-Flagler MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Kenan-Flagler story so far. The MBA admissions office at UNC Kenan-Flagler has done a fantastic job in selecting candidates who are intellectually curious, smart, confident and open to diverse perspectives. UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students demonstrate an unmatchable penchant for learning and supporting one another. During my application process, I received lots of support from MBA alumni and students while learning more about the school. Given this sense of community among MBA students, alumni and staff, I do not doubt that I will achieve my career goals with an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagler? I am excited about the Applied Investment Management (AIM) curriculum at UNC Kenan-Flagler. This platform allows MBA students to develop practical experience in asset and fund management. Students have the privilege to manage equity and fixed-income portfolios, conduct thorough investment research, and build insightful financial models. UNC Kenan-Flagler has more than 10 student-run funds worth up to $18 million. I am interested in pursuing a career in capital markets and investment; thus, the student-managed fund will allow me to work at all levels of investment analysis and fund management even before graduation.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At Dangote Group Plc, I worked in a team of professionals within and outside the organization that executed the issuance of a $280 million corporate bond, the largest corporate bond issuance in the history of the Nigerian capital market. I collaborated in developing convincing investor presentations and investment theses that supported 100% subscriptions of this bond by institutional investors.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I recently read an article in Harvard Business Review titled “Learn to Love Networking” by Francesca Gino, Maryam Kouchaki and Tiziana Casciaro. Networking has become necessary in today’s world as it opens unanticipated opportunities. The piece emphasizes the importance of networking and critical strategies to help people become more excited about effective relationship building. Networking is a common term among MBAs and business executives across the globe. However, not everybody feels comfortable to network; some people see networking as exploitive and inauthentic practice. Nonetheless, prospective MBAs need to understand the importance of networking and how they can leverage it to enhance productivity.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I will consider my MBA experience successful if the technical gap in my skillset has been filled and I can put it into use in a company that matches my goals. At the end of the program, I want to have developed leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, which are crucial to a successful career.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program? Be authentic in your story. Learn about the program by networking with current students and attending informational sessions. Articulate your career goals and how an UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA will help you to achieve your goals. Try to review and submit your MBA application early to maximize your chances of admission and receiving a fellowship.