Lagos businesswoman continues climb with SUNY Oswego MBA, connecting with university president from Nigeria

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

For Jane Nwagu, Group Head of Business Development for FBN Insurance Brokers in Lagos, earning her online master of business administration from the State University of New York at Oswego was worth the trip to the United States for December graduation –- which included meeting a fellow Nigerian scholar in university President Peter O. Nwosu.

Nwagu is prepared for the next level of C-Suite executive in the highly competitive insurance industry in Nigeria with the completion of this MBA program.

“The MBA will get me ready for a bigger management role,” Nwagu said, noting that the dynamics of the insurance landscape are evolving. “I needed to get the MBA ready so I can be ready for the emerging opportunities. I know a lot is expected when one gets to that level of leadership.”

Starting the MBA with Oswego in 2021, the lessons in the classes have already served her in Nwagu’s current role, where she leads a business development department with marketers reporting from four regions of the country.

“From the MBA, I’ve been able to become a better manager of people. In one of the classes, strategic management, I learned a whole lot about … how to bring out the best in the team,” Nwagu said, noting the team exceeded their figures in the past year. “The lectures allowed me to redirect my focus on how to get the best out of the business environment.”

Nwagu researched top MBA programs around the world, including North America and the United Kingdom, “prioritizing academic excellence and cost-effectiveness,” she said.

Benjamin Ogwo, who was her undergraduate mentor at University of Nigeria, Nsukka –- and now professor and chair for SUNY Oswego’s Career and Technical Educator Preparation Department –- provided a “compelling endorsement of how SUNY Oswego’s online MBA program perfectly aligned with my criteria for a world-class education at an accessible price point.”

Oswego’s MBA “exceeded my expectations,” Nwagu said, giving much credit to “exceptional guidance” from Irene Scruton, assistant dean in the School of Business and the MBA program director, and other members of the team.

Worth the journey

In addition to her rise up the ranks at FBN Insurance, Nwagu also literally went a long way to attend Oswego’s Commencement on Dec. 14.

“I always told myself that after what I’ve gone through, I’ll be present at Commencement,” Nwagu said. When she learned of President Nwosu’s appointment to the helm of SUNY Oswego, it made the journey all the more meaningful.

“Meeting President Peter O. Nwosu was a defining moment of my SUNY Oswego experience,” Nwagu said. “As the institution’s 11th president and first African-born leader, his appointment in 2023 exemplifies SUNY Oswego’s commitment to recognizing merit and fostering diversity. Our shared Nigerian heritage — both from Anambra state — made his achievements particularly inspiring.”

Ogwo drove Nwagu from nearby Syracuse to Oswego in Upstate New York on the day before Commencement through a heavy snowfall, but that leg of the journey was worth it as well.

“Despite his demanding schedule, President Nwosu prioritized our meeting, rearranging commitments to have a meaningful discussion,” Nwagu said. “Our conversation during that snow-swept day revealed not just his exceptional leadership and dedication to student engagement, but also provided invaluable insights that will stay with me throughout my career. His presidency stands as a powerful testament to SUNY Oswego’s inclusive excellence.”

Global accomplishments

Nwagu navigated occasional logistical challenges along her academic journey, taking classes from across the globe and sometimes dealing with infrastructure constraints back home, but credited Oswego’s team for ensuring it was a transformative and valuable experience.

“The program’s robust online platform and meticulously structured curriculum ensure deep learning beyond mere examination requirements,” Nwagu said. “Each module systematically builds both professional capabilities and personal growth.”

Interactions with faculty, staff and alumni were always top-notch. “The program’s commitment to real-world application was evident through exclusive access to and interaction with industry leaders, including PWC’s [recently retired] Global Chairman Bob Mortiz,” Nwagu said.

Even while working full-time in a demanding job and dealing with time differences and other challenges, Nwagu knew she was in good and understanding hands.

“With Professor Scruton’s exceptional guidance and understanding faculty, I completed the program at my own pace while managing a demanding career,” Nwagu said. “SUNY Oswego’s demonstrated commitment to student success, regardless of geographical location or circumstance, makes it an outstanding choice for ambitious professionals seeking a quality MBA education.”

For more information on Oswego’s MBA program and options, visit oswego.edu/mba.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.