Ayodeji Ajuwon

Columbia Business School

“Adventure-seeker, fearless innovator, and optimist balancing ambition with impact and always ready for the next thrill.”

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m all about adventure sports. The kind that makes my adrenaline soar! From skydiving and bungee jumping to water rafting and paragliding, I’m always searching for the next thrill.

Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Ilorin, Civil Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Land Republic, Cofounder, Chief Operations Officer
What makes New York City such a great place to earn an MBA? New York City is hands-down the ultimate place to earn an MBA! Imagine this: you’re learning finance in the shadow of Wall Street, studying innovation surrounded by tech disruptors, and analyzing marketing trends as you stroll past some of the world’s most iconic brands. NYC isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing case study in business. The city’s nonstop energy keeps you sharp, and connections seem to spring out of nowhere—like the time some friends focused on investment banking walked into school suited up for a firmwide presentation from a top-tier bank. A casually dressed man struck up a conversation, asking why they were so formally dressed. They answered, wondering who he was. He told them to connect on LinkedIn, send their CVs, and walked off. Only later did they realize he was one of the top finance execs at the very bank they were preparing for!

In NYC, every encounter could be with a future mentor, investor, or industry leader. Where else can your classroom double as one of the world’s greatest cities?

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Columbia Business School’s MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? A key part of Columbia Business School’s MBA curriculum that drew me in was its unique combination of finance expertise with advanced courses in AI and data analytics. I wanted an MBA program where I could master financial strategy, while also diving into cutting-edge tech tools that are transforming the industry. Columbia offers that perfect mix, bridging deep finance acumen with the latest in data-driven decision-making. Plus, being in New York means I’m just a coffee meeting away from potential investors. Having access to that network right here in the city is incredibly valuable for someone with my aspirations.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Columbia Business School? I’m thrilled about diving into Business Analytics and Marketing at Columbia Business School! These courses feel like a backstage pass into the brain of modern business where I am unpacking everything from AI magic to the strategic side of product management. It’s like a data-driven playground where every insight takes you one step closer to decoding the matrix of consumer behavior. The fact that I can now casually throw around terms like “conjoint analysis” is honestly making me feel like a product wizard in training. In short, I’m pumped to learn how to turn numbers into narratives and use them to create real business impact!

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Columbia Business School was the right program for you? Why? I knew Columbia Business School was the right choice for me when I did a deep dive into the organizations I admire most and saw a common thread: Columbia MBA grads were everywhere, holding key positions and driving big decisions. From tech giants to leading investment firms, it was clear that CBS alumni had something these companies needed. This realization made me think. Columbia wasn’t just building graduates; it was developing industry leaders who could step in and make an impact. That kind of influence and credibility was exactly what I wanted in an MBA program, and I knew CBS was where I could gain it.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment so far has been earning my place in Columbia Business School’s MBA program. This achievement isn’t just a milestone; it’s a transformative experience that’s already unlocking insights and skills I’ll carry for a lifetime. From diving into business analytics to understanding high-level finance and strategy, every day at CBS feels like uncovering gems of knowledge that will shape my future. Being part of such a dynamic program is sharpening my expertise and expanding my vision in ways I hadn’t even anticipated, setting me up to make a lasting impact in my career.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation, I’m on a mission to dive into Big Tech and soak up everything I can about the massive gears that make global systems hum. Funny enough, my original plan was to plunge headfirst into entrepreneurship, building something from scratch right out of business school, likely back in Africa, where I have deep ties and big dreams. But here’s the thing: the more I learn, the more I realize that ‘winging it’ on an international scale might be a tad ambitious without seeing how it’s actually done on the big stage first.

Big Tech offers a one-of-a-kind backstage pass to the world of scale, billions of users, dynamic markets, complex operations. It’s like joining the Avengers of tech! I’m not just looking to learn about global systems, but to really understand how they function, adapt, and succeed in the face of diverse and changing markets. So, yes, for now, I’m shelving my superhero cape to build the ultimate toolkit. And when the time comes to build something of my own, I’ll be ready with knowledge, experience, and maybe a couple of fun tech war stories to boot!

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Columbia Business School’s MBA program? Be authentic and share your unique story. CBS values genuine, driven applicants. Show global curiosity and highlight any diverse experiences or perspectives you bring. CBS embraces diversity. Have clear, ambitious career goals and demonstrate how CBS will help you achieve them. Connect with CBS alumni and students to understand the culture. This was the best part for me. Every single person was willing to connect and share. Lastly, stay focused and proactive throughout your application journey!

DON’T MISS: MEET COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2026