Chibueze Dunphy Ewuzie

University of Oxford, Saïd Business School

“I am relentless in my pursuit for self-actualization, and I live life like it’s a gift.” 

Hometown: Nkwerre, Imo State by Heritage; Port Harcourt, Rivers State by Orientation and Lagos, Nigeria by Ambition

Fun Fact About Yourself: I used to be a runway model and participated in pageants due to my love for fashion. However, I decided against it because it wasn’t as lucrative as I had earlier imagined. In hindsight, it helped to build my confidence as a teenager.

Undergraduate School and Major: BSc & MSc Architecture, Imo State University, Owerri (Proud Imo Star)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Access Bank Plc; Product Manager, Credit Cards

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 the elite reputation of the program. More importantly, I was attracted to its emphasis on grooming responsible business leaders and equipping them with the tool kits to tackle some of the most complex issues that the world faces today. I was keen on participating in the Global Opportunities and Threats: Oxford (GOTO) program because it would allow me to collaboratively contribute to solving wicked problems across different countries and business sectors. It has lived up to its reputation under the guidance of Peter Drobac. This year on GOTO, my team and I are exploring the theme: Systems Reset in the context of improving educational outcomes for refugees and asylum-seeking school-age children in the UK in a post-COVID world. I’m fortunate to possess the ability to apply systems thinking to complex problems by approaching them holistically bearing in mind the impact of every stakeholder in the ecosystem. These are the skills that will differentiate me in the workplace, enable me to grow as a business leader, and have an impact in the world.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? I never thought I’d ride a bicycle in sub-zero temperatures, but it is exhilarating and empowering when you’re cutting through chilling winds at 32 km/hour and listening to “Cold Outside” by Timaya featuring Buju.

Oxford is known as a place where the world collides, 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? I’ve been blessed to experience the Class of 2022. Every single one of my 355 classmates from 71 countries has shaped me in ways I could never imagine and has contributed immensely to making me a better person. I am living a dream!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of the key highlights of my career was when I co-designed and launched a premium subscription-based lifestyle service that has grown to over 50,000 subscribers and won an international award, which demonstrates my deep understanding of user behavior, building user trust, and fostering loyalty.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My goal for the MBA was to acquire the skills and exposure I needed to transition across geography, industry, and role (the triple jump as it is fondly called among MBA’s) while helping my cohort achieve their career goals. This is by no means a small feat, but I have remained true to my goals by actively participating in the Technology Club, Consulting Club, and Media & Entertainment Club. I serve on the student council as the career representative and the career director of the technology club. I co-founded the Oxford hub of Impact Consulting Group, a management consulting firm providing high-quality, affordable consulting services to socially-driven organizations contributing to achieving the UN SDG within Oxford and environs. Juggling all these, the core MBA curriculum, and being a devoted husband is something I am proud of doing. I’m also privileged to set a good example for my siblings through my commitment to excellence and a great work ethic.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Oxford remained my first choice during the application period. However, I received an offer from the Imperial College London.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? Understanding the frameworks for applying global rules of the game to corporate strategy has shifted my perspective of doing business.

DON’T MISS: MEET OXFORD SAÏD’S MBA CLASS OF 2022