Chief Mrs Mojisola Ladipo is a former registrar, University of Ibadan, former visiting registrar, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and former registrar, Veritas University, Abuja. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Ibadan Business School. She speaks with EMMANUEL ADENIYI on the newly established school, Nigeria’s business environment and why government needs to develop infrastructure to grow the economy.
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WHAT is the vision behind the establishment of Ibadan Business School and how can the vision be deployed towards addressing parts of Nigeria’s human development index (HDI) said to be abysmally low?
Many people think that development is driven by the private sector. Though this is true to some extent, it is the public sector that really has the vision, drives that vision, lays down policy and even implements the laid down policy. Now, small-scale, micro-scale, medium-scale industries and large-scale entrepreneurs and multinationals will come in when government has instituted a policy. Therefore, it will be hard for a permanent secretary who should articulate government policies to do his job effectively if he does not attend conferences or trainings to imbibe, for instance, the basics of project management or data collection so as to know what industry is to be established and where it should be sited. Part of the vision of this school is to focus on the development needs of public sector, that is, civil servants and public officers, because they are the drivers of economy in the developing world. The private sector, too, has a major role in ensuring that the vision of government is actualised. By and large, this business school will also address the capacity needs of micro, small and medium enterprises, because of the vital role they play in any economy.
Many people think that development is driven by the private sector. Though this is true to some extent, it is the public sector that really has the vision, drives that vision, lays down policy and even implements the laid down policy. Now, small-scale, micro-scale, medium-scale industries and large-scale entrepreneurs and multinationals will come in when government has instituted a policy. Therefore, it will be hard for a permanent secretary who should articulate government policies to do his job effectively if he does not attend conferences or trainings to imbibe, for instance, the basics of project management or data collection so as to know what industry is to be established and where it should be sited. Part of the vision of this school is to focus on the development needs of public sector, that is, civil servants and public officers, because they are the drivers of economy in the developing world. The private sector, too, has a major role in ensuring that the vision of government is actualised. By and large, this business school will also address the capacity needs of micro, small and medium enterprises, because of the vital role they play in any economy.
Most business schools in North America, Europe and even in Africa or Asia offer degrees in various programmes, but Ibadan Business School seems to be toeing a different path since it is a non-degree awarding institution. Is this a deliberate design by the owners or the school is constrained by certain factors?
Let me start with Lagos Business School. It did not start by awarding degrees. LBS started with short-term courses, because I am an alumnae of the school. You had a course that spread over 10 weeks. For example, a course in management would run for two days a week and at the end of the 10 weeks, you would be given a certificate of participation, and that happens in many business schools all over the world. Some may also run intensive residential trainings and at the end of the trainings, you will be given a certificate of participation. Ibadan Business School, for now, is not talking about awarding degrees or diploma. It is not registered for that purpose. It is found to ensure that people, wherever they are, can have certificate of proficiency or distinction or participation for short-term programmes. Our programmes are designed for first-degree holders and people who have master’s degrees but lack capacity in some areas that are negatively impacting on their businesses or prospects. We are running online courses and all you need is your PCs or internet-enabled phones or ipads for you to take lectures anywhere you are at your convenience two days a week for one month, which is about eight hours. At the end of it, you will sit an exam and you will be given a certificate of participation or proficiency. This is not to say that we don’t have face-to-face programmes, but about 75 per cent of our courses will be online.
Let me start with Lagos Business School. It did not start by awarding degrees. LBS started with short-term courses, because I am an alumnae of the school. You had a course that spread over 10 weeks. For example, a course in management would run for two days a week and at the end of the 10 weeks, you would be given a certificate of participation, and that happens in many business schools all over the world. Some may also run intensive residential trainings and at the end of the trainings, you will be given a certificate of participation. Ibadan Business School, for now, is not talking about awarding degrees or diploma. It is not registered for that purpose. It is found to ensure that people, wherever they are, can have certificate of proficiency or distinction or participation for short-term programmes. Our programmes are designed for first-degree holders and people who have master’s degrees but lack capacity in some areas that are negatively impacting on their businesses or prospects. We are running online courses and all you need is your PCs or internet-enabled phones or ipads for you to take lectures anywhere you are at your convenience two days a week for one month, which is about eight hours. At the end of it, you will sit an exam and you will be given a certificate of participation or proficiency. This is not to say that we don’t have face-to-face programmes, but about 75 per cent of our courses will be online.
Are you saying it has no plan at all to award degrees?
Never say never. We have just started; we have plans; maybe in another five years or 10 years, depending on the developmental needs of the country, we will consolidate and see how we graduate eventually into that level. It is not registered with the National Universities Commission (NUC); it is registered as a private business that is giving management and business-based short-term courses. However, the future will dictate the direction in which we go. We just may end up being the first online university in Nigeria when we have gone through the appropriate statutory necessities. We are credentialists in Nigeria. Credentialism has been the bane of our education system, just get the certificate whether you know it or not. That is not our focus. Even though you need to be certified that you attended a course, but more importantly, we hope that by the time you have finished you would have imbibed something, even if it is the ability to learn or the interest in empowering oneself with knowledge and skills.
Never say never. We have just started; we have plans; maybe in another five years or 10 years, depending on the developmental needs of the country, we will consolidate and see how we graduate eventually into that level. It is not registered with the National Universities Commission (NUC); it is registered as a private business that is giving management and business-based short-term courses. However, the future will dictate the direction in which we go. We just may end up being the first online university in Nigeria when we have gone through the appropriate statutory necessities. We are credentialists in Nigeria. Credentialism has been the bane of our education system, just get the certificate whether you know it or not. That is not our focus. Even though you need to be certified that you attended a course, but more importantly, we hope that by the time you have finished you would have imbibed something, even if it is the ability to learn or the interest in empowering oneself with knowledge and skills.
What measures have you put in place to make IBS different from many glorified business centers mushrooming daily in the country as b-schools?
It is a business school that is growing out of experience in management consultancy. First, the online innovation makes us different. Second, the quality of our faculty, which is made up of first-class persons who are renowned in their different fields, makes us unique as well. Three, the quality of our examination system is second to none. Even though it is online, you can’t cheat, because we have installed a technology that would ensure that it is the same person that registered for a course is the one sitting the examination. Four, the school is backed up by the sponsor, Supreme Management Consultant Limited, which has been in the forefront of management consultancy and face-to-face short-term programmes in virtually all aspects of management. Besides, it is known globally. Five, we are partnering with international agencies and faculties to develop our courses so that the courses are identified through market needs and prepared by experts, including people from outside Nigeria. Our courses are needs-based. They are so designed to meet the needs of the economy. The physical facilities are there as well. We have comfortable classrooms for face-to-face deliveries and state-of-the-art technical equipment. The school is located in a serene environment, we have standard learning rooms, syndicate rooms, plenary halls, library, parks, state-of-the-art ICT facility, national and international members of faculty and Board of Advisors comprising distinguished and accomplished Nigerians and expatriates. Despite all these facilities, we will continue to expand the infrastructure to meet future needs. Similarly, our courses will change from time to time. If you take a programme this month, whoever that subscribes to it next month will not be receiving exactly the same thing.
It is a business school that is growing out of experience in management consultancy. First, the online innovation makes us different. Second, the quality of our faculty, which is made up of first-class persons who are renowned in their different fields, makes us unique as well. Three, the quality of our examination system is second to none. Even though it is online, you can’t cheat, because we have installed a technology that would ensure that it is the same person that registered for a course is the one sitting the examination. Four, the school is backed up by the sponsor, Supreme Management Consultant Limited, which has been in the forefront of management consultancy and face-to-face short-term programmes in virtually all aspects of management. Besides, it is known globally. Five, we are partnering with international agencies and faculties to develop our courses so that the courses are identified through market needs and prepared by experts, including people from outside Nigeria. Our courses are needs-based. They are so designed to meet the needs of the economy. The physical facilities are there as well. We have comfortable classrooms for face-to-face deliveries and state-of-the-art technical equipment. The school is located in a serene environment, we have standard learning rooms, syndicate rooms, plenary halls, library, parks, state-of-the-art ICT facility, national and international members of faculty and Board of Advisors comprising distinguished and accomplished Nigerians and expatriates. Despite all these facilities, we will continue to expand the infrastructure to meet future needs. Similarly, our courses will change from time to time. If you take a programme this month, whoever that subscribes to it next month will not be receiving exactly the same thing.
How would you go about this?
There are new things that come up everyday, new knowledge and new experiences. Besides, market changes everyday. Certain factors drive the economy and all of these things are looked at and incorporated into our courses. We want to ensure that best global practices are reflected in every single course run in the school. To ensure standard, we grade our faculty, I mean our lecturers and those who prepare our courses from time to time. They, too, will go through the process of evaluation. If as a lecturer your course is not reflecting global changes, you are out.
There are new things that come up everyday, new knowledge and new experiences. Besides, market changes everyday. Certain factors drive the economy and all of these things are looked at and incorporated into our courses. We want to ensure that best global practices are reflected in every single course run in the school. To ensure standard, we grade our faculty, I mean our lecturers and those who prepare our courses from time to time. They, too, will go through the process of evaluation. If as a lecturer your course is not reflecting global changes, you are out.
Would your e-learning study approach not compromise standard since the study system only allows little or no supervision?
I don’t think so, because outside Nigeria, there are online universities that award master’s degrees without compromising standards. Ours cannot be different either.
I don’t think so, because outside Nigeria, there are online universities that award master’s degrees without compromising standards. Ours cannot be different either.
Do you have same mechanisms such online schools use for quality control and effective supervision of their students scattered all over the world?
Yes, of course. If a student takes our online course, where we can ensure standard is to ensure that it is that same student that is answering our questions. We are using a combination of biometrics and iris capturing for this. Each human being has certain peculiarities that technology can discover, when we have ensured you are that person that took the exam, we will grade it. There are different stages of quality control; I can’t disclose everything for security reasons.
Yes, of course. If a student takes our online course, where we can ensure standard is to ensure that it is that same student that is answering our questions. We are using a combination of biometrics and iris capturing for this. Each human being has certain peculiarities that technology can discover, when we have ensured you are that person that took the exam, we will grade it. There are different stages of quality control; I can’t disclose everything for security reasons.
Your courses are short-term capacity trainings to bridge skills, knowledge and attitude gaps in your students. Why short-term trainings? Is it not wise to extend the duration of your programmes since acquisition of knowledge, skills and change in attitude may take a longer time?
In the first instance, it is not how long a programme is that determines its quality; it is how intensive the programme is. Sometimes, fatigue may even set in when a programme is taking too long. There could be discontinuity, the student may lose interest and abandon the programme. With regard to attitude, it takes some time to change attitude. As I said, when you have knowledge, when that gaps that make you insecure are filled, you will be able to take right decision. Many people are aggressive because they are insecure, and they are insecure, because they don’t know what to do. When you have acquired knowledge, the drive to put what you have learnt into practice will well up in you, so there is no way your attitude will not change. Once you empower yourself with knowledge your attitude will change, because you will become more confident. That is the vision, and that is what makes IBS different from other business schools. I don’t think the time factor is negative; it is a plus to our courses.
In the first instance, it is not how long a programme is that determines its quality; it is how intensive the programme is. Sometimes, fatigue may even set in when a programme is taking too long. There could be discontinuity, the student may lose interest and abandon the programme. With regard to attitude, it takes some time to change attitude. As I said, when you have knowledge, when that gaps that make you insecure are filled, you will be able to take right decision. Many people are aggressive because they are insecure, and they are insecure, because they don’t know what to do. When you have acquired knowledge, the drive to put what you have learnt into practice will well up in you, so there is no way your attitude will not change. Once you empower yourself with knowledge your attitude will change, because you will become more confident. That is the vision, and that is what makes IBS different from other business schools. I don’t think the time factor is negative; it is a plus to our courses.
What is your view of Nigeria’s business environment?
I always like to be positive. The business environment is juicy, that is why despite all the happenings in the country, foreigners are still coming in droves and finding their niche. Why are they successful and we are not? Perhaps, what Ibadan Business School is doing may be what will empower that young graduate who, having not found a formal job, wants to set up a photography studio. He needs to know how to cost his service, determine the needs of his customers and so on. However, the things that bedevil business here is infrastructure. If we get just power sector right, Nigeria’s economy will grow in leaps and bounds, because the real players in the economy, the artisans and small scale entrepreneurs, will have opportunity to develop their businesses. Government should develop infrastructure and improve on the existing ones. I believe in Nigeria and the young people of this country, because they are ready to take risks. It is people who take risks that succeed. We will surely get there. Electricity will improve, the knowledge we acquire will help us to get better.
I always like to be positive. The business environment is juicy, that is why despite all the happenings in the country, foreigners are still coming in droves and finding their niche. Why are they successful and we are not? Perhaps, what Ibadan Business School is doing may be what will empower that young graduate who, having not found a formal job, wants to set up a photography studio. He needs to know how to cost his service, determine the needs of his customers and so on. However, the things that bedevil business here is infrastructure. If we get just power sector right, Nigeria’s economy will grow in leaps and bounds, because the real players in the economy, the artisans and small scale entrepreneurs, will have opportunity to develop their businesses. Government should develop infrastructure and improve on the existing ones. I believe in Nigeria and the young people of this country, because they are ready to take risks. It is people who take risks that succeed. We will surely get there. Electricity will improve, the knowledge we acquire will help us to get better.
Many people believe that b-schools all over the world are expensive, what about Ibadan Business School?
We are very different from others. For example, we charge N19,900 for the online courses, that is not expensive at all, because we have removed all costs expended on logistics. For the face-to-face programme, we charge N75,000 for a one week course.
We are very different from others. For example, we charge N19,900 for the online courses, that is not expensive at all, because we have removed all costs expended on logistics. For the face-to-face programme, we charge N75,000 for a one week course.
In what way can government partner with you apart from sending staff to attend your courses?
IBS is a private sector-driven project. At the appropriate time, government may come in and it is government that will decide where it wants to partner with us, but as far as sponsorship is concerned, this school will always remain private sector-driven, because that is the whole idea. Government has its own schools; the business of government is to provide the structure and infrastructure that will enable businesses and private initiatives to grow.
IBS is a private sector-driven project. At the appropriate time, government may come in and it is government that will decide where it wants to partner with us, but as far as sponsorship is concerned, this school will always remain private sector-driven, because that is the whole idea. Government has its own schools; the business of government is to provide the structure and infrastructure that will enable businesses and private initiatives to grow.
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