Ajibola Bolanle

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“Passionate about innovative financing and capital mobilization to drive investment and unlock the potential of Africa and emerging markets.”

Hometown: Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love good music. After DJing for the African Christmas party last year with an incredible turnout, I’m convinced I could be a professional DJ in another life!

Undergraduate School and Major: Landmark University, Bachelors in Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) –Manager

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? Oxford’s deep commitment to Africa’s economic transformation played a key role in my decision. Initiatives like the Oxford Africa Business Forum, the Doing Business in Africa program, and the Oxford Africa Alliance create an unparalleled platform for meaningful dialogue between students, global thought leaders, and industry pioneers. Coming from a background where I have worked on large-scale economic and infrastructure investments in Nigeria, I wanted an MBA experience that not only provided world-class business education, but also engaged with Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities in a meaningful way. Oxford’s approach to global leadership one that blends academic excellence with real-world impact aligned perfectly with my goal of driving sustainable investment and development across the continent. I knew that this was the place where I could sharpen my ability to create large-scale, transformative change.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? The Oxford Union debates and the Impact Lab at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship have been my favorite experiences. The Oxford Union debates provide a rare opportunity to engage in high-level discourse with world leaders, while the Impact Lab offers hands-on exposure to sustainable impact-driven business models. These were exactly the kind of intersection between thought leadership and action that drew me to Oxford.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? Attending formal dinners fully dressed up in traditional black tie and, of course, wearing the iconic sub fusc to sit for exams – it doesn’t get more Oxford than that!

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? One of the most interesting conversations I’ve had at Oxford was with my classmate. He told me about his mission to fight malnutrition, environmental pollution, and the health impact of poor diets by innovating with tempeh fermentation. What really struck me was how he seamlessly blends science, activism, and entrepreneurship his ‘triple helix’ approach. From leading the Indonesian Tempe Movement across 16 countries to scaling his company, Better Nature Tempeh, into major UK and European retailers like Tesco and Asda, his journey is incredible. It made me realize that something as simple as food innovation can have a massive global impact, and that business truly can be a force for good. Only at Oxford do you casually sit down for a chat and walk away thinking differently about the future of nutrition and sustainability.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my biggest career accomplishments was leading a nationwide project early in my career that supported 1,700 SMEs across five key sectors, driving economic growth and job creation in Nigeria. Later, I played a pivotal role in structuring one of the country’s foremost healthcare investments, which led to the creation of 23 medical facilities specializing in oncology, diagnostics, and cardiology. Knowing that these projects are not just economic drivers, but lifesaving interventions makes this achievement deeply meaningful to me.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? As Co-Head of Engagement for the Oxford Africa Alliance and Co-Chair of the Oxford Social Impact Club, I have led key initiatives to showcase Africa’s potential and foster meaningful discussions. I also moderated conversations with industry experts on impact investing and sustainable financing for mission-driven projects. These efforts have strengthened engagement, amplified African voices, and reinforced my commitment to driving sustainable impact in global and emerging markets.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? The MBA has expanded my horizons and deepened my commitment to transformative financing for sustainable development. I’ve gained a new perspective on capital mobilization in Africa and emerging markets, recognizing the power of strategic, innovative financial instruments in driving long-term impact.

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