Obanor Chukwuwezam

University of Oxford, Saïd Business School

“Pragmatic, daring, friendly, with a mix of ambition and fair play.”

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once fell asleep on a moving motorcycle due to sleep deprivation

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Lagos, Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Prepclass NG, CEO

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Oxford Saïd’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I was drawn to Oxford Saïd for three key reasons: the Entrepreneurial Centre, the Oxford Seed Fund program, and the Oxford Union. As someone with a background in entrepreneurship, I was eager to explore new business opportunities in Europe and gain more insight into the venture capital industry. Through the Entrepreneurial Centre and the Oxford Seed Fund, Oxford Saïd offers exceptional resources to achieve these goals. Furthermore, I have been a long-time admirer of the Oxford Union, having followed its debates and lectures on YouTube. To finally have the opportunity to participate in those discussions in person is truly a dream come true for me.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? The course “Doughnut Economics” taught by Kate Raworth has been my favourite part of Oxford Saïd MBA experience. I was captivated by her efforts to rethink traditional economic principles and the stimulating discussions that resulted from her lectures. Additionally, I have also enjoyed participating in sports such as squash and polo. Oxford Saïd has a variety of sports facilities and a lively community of students who are passionate about playing sports. I fell in love with squash here and was able to try polo for the first time, both of which I believe will remain as significant aspects of my life.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? One of the most quintessentially “Oxford” experiences I have had was attending a white tie event, dressed in the formal attire which included a black tailcoat, white wing-collared shirt, black trousers with a satin stripe, black patent leather shoes, and a white bow tie. These events are rare, and the dress code is the most formal of all attire, but Oxford manages to host white tie events with ease. Another unique aspect of the Oxford experience is writing exams while dressed in formal suits, which is something I have found to be uncommon. At times, it can be difficult to distinguish between students heading to an exam hall and those attending a black-tie event.

Oxford is known as a place where worlds collide, be it in the classroom or the dining hall. What has been the most interesting interaction you’ve had so far as an Oxford MBA student? As an Oxford Saïd MBA student, I have had the privilege of meeting people who have achieved remarkable things in their careers and communities. For instance, I have classmates who, despite working in demanding jobs at consulting firms, also established day cares and temporary shelters for Ukrainian refugees in their communities. I have also met individuals who have overcome significant challenges, such as disabilities, or political circumstances, to be here at Oxford. There are simply too many inspiring stories to pick just one favourite interaction.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My greatest accomplishment in my career thus far has been establishing a successful business that has made a positive impact on the lives of many people. This business has provided tens of thousands of students with the skills they need to excel in their exams, while also creating thousands of jobs in Nigeria and generating significant additional income for teachers, who typically earn less than $120 per month in their full-time positions.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? seedfund trainings: As an MBA student, my greatest accomplishment so far has been my involvement with the Oxford Seedfund. I was selected to serve as a director, and one of my responsibilities was to coordinate training sessions to enhance the skills of the team. During this time, I was able to invite highly accomplished VCs, including partners at successful investment firms, to share their knowledge and experience with the team.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? Prior to the MBA, I would say I had a unipolar view about what it means to maximize my potential in terms of intellect, time, and grit. Meeting and working with people who have so many different perspectives and are accomplished in so many different ways has helped me broaden and enrich my definition of success.

DON’T MISS: MEET OXFORD SAÏD’S MBA CLASS OF 2023