Where did you work before coming to Bucerius Law School?
I was the Country Manager for Wowzi Technologies Ltd, a Kenyan Influencer marketing tech startup.
Why did you decide to study in Germany?
I chose to study in Germany because of its well-known reputation for low tuition costs and the availability of scholarships for international students like myself. Aside from that, several German universities are ranked among the best in the world in terms of quality education and excellence research.
What makes the MLB program special in your opinion?
The Master of Law and Business is an innovative program that integrates the fundamentals of law from an EU and German viewpoint with international business; the marriage of law and international business can be seen in every module taught.
The curriculum arrangement is another unique feature of the MLB program. You have a mix of professors from the Bucerius Law School and WHU - Otto Beisheim, two of Germany's top universities based on the CHE rating. And finally, the language of instruction is English, which makes it easier for non-German speakers to participate in the program.
You’ve worked in Germany before. Why did you leave?
After my time at Thyssenkrupp's headquarters in Essen, I joined our regional team in Johannesburg, where I assisted the implementation of the then regionalization strategy for Africa. This was a watershed point in my career as a business developer.
What are the biggest differences between Nigeria and Germany?
Obviously, the population of Nigeria (218 million) and size of the youth segment are the most notable differences between Nigeria and Germany. Did you know that 65 million Nigerians are between the ages of 10 and 24? That’s more than half of Germany's population.
Another notable distinction would be that Germany has well-developed infrastructure, including modern highways, airports, seaports, and very efficient public transit systems. In contrast, Nigeria's infrastructure is fast developing but still faces several challenges.
What’s an experience in Hamburg that is completely new to you?
I am no stranger to Hamburg, however, living in a city that borders the Elbe and is home to Europe's second largest container terminal is a whole new experience for me. I can literally hear the horns of the ships delivering cargo into the harbor from my apartment.
You worked in Business Development; what are your future career plans?
I intend to stay back after the program and support startups and multinationals in scaling up their business operations, accessing new markets, and acquiring new clients.
I also aim to continue assisting German and other international corporations understand Africa's evolving business landscape and attract more investment to the region to help further develop top sectors. Eventually, I envision myself founding my own digital firm that employs artificial intelligence to address a societal issue.
MEET OUR MLB STUDENTS
Each year people from all over the world come to study the Bucerius Master of Law and Business. In the Meet interviews they tell their stories. Click here to get to know the other students.
ALL PORTRAITS
Which role will German law play in the future for you?
There is no business without law, and vice versa. Understanding German and EU legislation as a business developer adds another layer of knowledge that will be vital in a variety of situations. For starters, Germany is Europe's largest economy and Nigeria's second-largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Therefore, it is imperative that I understand how German firms are organized legally to appropriately advise multinationals and startups who plan to sell into Germany on the appropriate corporate structure to adopt for their legal entity, as well as strategies to ringfence assets and liabilities.
How do you like living in Hamburg?
You can't possibly be bored in Hamburg, there are several theaters, musicals, operas, cinemas, and green parks to keep you occupied. Hamburg's nightlife is regarded as one of the best in Germany.
It has lots of restaurants and bars in areas such as St Pauli, Reeperbahn, Fish markets, Jungfernstieg, Hamburg Harbor, Hafen City, Elbphilharmonie etc. You always have an endless supply of enjoyable activities and locations to explore. Another reason I enjoy living in Hamburg is the availability of public transportation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Obomate, thanks for the interview!
