Oladimeji Ojo

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“Innovative thinker, constantly seeking to evolve and improve the surrounding world.”

Hometown: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: Whenever I learn something new, I immediately begin to seek ways to apply that knowledge. Otherwise, I’ll forget it. In college, I launched my first venture—a machine design startup—by combining the application of welding skills I learned from my dad with Autodesk skills I picked up from a junior colleague.

Undergraduate School and Major:

School: University of Ibadan

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Country Director (Nigeria) @ Solve Education! Holding

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The bread and butter of the case method, for me, is how student-driven the learning environment is, guided by the faculty, of course. The responsibility that comes with shaping my peers’ learning outcome from each case through collaborative discussions means that I must come prepared for each class. This preparation and engagement not only deepened my understanding of real-world management scenarios, but also honed my critical thinking and decision-making skills as a manager.

Aside from cases and classmates, what was the key part of Virginia Darden’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Before each day of class, Darden students and faculty gather at Saunders Hall for the First Coffee. This ritual is a main feature of Darden’s community, offering a unique opportunity to engage with peers and faculty in meaningful dialogue. It is one of the reasons I chose Darden. I hope to develop relationships with 1-2 classmates and future executives per day over the next two years. I imagine that would be a positive value-add for learning new perspectives and understanding how others approach problems and opportunities.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Virginia Darden? The Batten Institute and the Darden Cup.

The Batten Institute: The dedicated team at the Batten Institute has put together exciting programs advancing technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia. This summer, the institute nurtured 28 ventures with compelling products, technologies and services through its i.Lab Incubator program. This initiative offers an excellent opportunity for founders and builders seeking to pursue an MBA at the Darden School.

Darden Cup: In a conversation with Larry Mueller, the Assistant Dean of Global Advising, I discovered that the Darden Cup sees participation from both students and faculty — a truly exciting opportunity to connect with peers and faculty at a deeper level! We haven’t been placed into sections yet, but I hope my section wins this year.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Darden was the right program for you? Why? Choosing Darden was a decision marked by intense competition and discernment. Despite competitive offers from M7 and T10 schools. The genuine support that my colleagues and I received at the Darden Africa Business Organization (DABO) through a very difficult period of visa rejections – as well as how warm and original the Darden community is – drove my decision home. Many of us African students at Darden didn’t think we’d be here in Charlottesville this year, but the Darden team stuck it out for us. The steadfast support shown at UVA Darden is exactly what I value in a school.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most significant career achievement to date is the decision to decline a lucrative job offer from the oil and gas industry for social entrepreneurship post-bachelor’s. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a challenging yet fulfilling journey with a focus on transforming education. With unwavering determination, I dove head-first into this venture, determined to make an impact in education. Indeed, the impact was profound. Together with my team, we inspired over a million marginalized and differently-abled students to see learning not as a chore but as an engaging and even addictive activity. Our efforts have borne fruit, equipping these students with essential life skills and transforming former school dropouts into respected leaders within their universities and communities. This journey has not only changed lives, but has also redefined the essence of education for those who once saw it as beyond their reach.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Why? I genuinely want to see people do well. And it is very hard for me to see my comrade lacking while I stand by and watch. This very quality drove me into entrepreneurship. I would imagine this is already influencing how I engage with my colleagues in and outside the classroom at Darden.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Virginia Darden’s MBA program? Do not underestimate the power of your personal narrative. I got this same advice from Darden Admissions last year, and it quickly became my favorite. Use your resume, essays, and interview to “show, not tell” the events that have shaped who you are and how your experiences and expertise will contribute to the fabric of the Darden community. Spend time developing your story, highlighting key moments that define your character and professional journey. Practice vulnerability and seek feedback to ensure your narrative is compelling and authentic. Remember, the MBA application process, like the degree itself, is a collaborative effort, so approach it as one.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2026: THE ‘DO ANYTHING, BE ANYONE’ COHORT