E-Business
Re-imagining the Business School Model
By Austin Okere
This pandemic has uncovered the soft underbelly of our unwillingness to think beyond the present and anticipate future eventualities.
There have been various experiences and pronouncements regarding the education of our youth in the past couple of weeks. At the local secondary level, my son’s school completed the syllabus for the current term through online classes at home.
Far afield, the Harvard University is offering 67 online courses for free to help academics through lockdown and quarantine; while Coursera is partnered with 192 institutions from 43 countries and offering more than 3,200 online courses in 13 languages.
In sharp contrast, the Kano State Government has ordered all schools to stop online classes immediately, while the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) through an interview of their President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi with the Punch Newspaper has declared that E-Learning cannot work in Nigeria.
In his TED talk on the three ways to plan for the very long term, Ari Wallach canvasses: Trans-generational Thinking (thinking beyond just your own lifetime), Thinking of possible futures and not just one future, in case of eventualities. And having a 30-year horizon in our thinking process, not just the next couple of years.
I wrote this article four years ago, when I was invited as the Keynote Speaker at the GBSN/EFMD joint Conference at Accra, Ghana in November 2016.
It seems that the chickens have come home to roost.
The EFMD is a leading international network of business schools and companies (820 members from 82 countries) at the forefront or raising the standards of management education and development globally. EFMD runs the EQUIS and EPAS accreditation systems as well as the EFMD Deans Across Frontiers development programme (EDAF) and is one of the key reference points for management education worldwide.
The GBSN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening management, entrepreneurial and leadership talent for the developing world through better access to quality, locally relevant education. GBSN harnesses the power of a network of nearly 70 leading business schools that share a dedication to their mission to build management education capacity for the developing world.
Even though I spoke about Business Schools. The insights stretch across the whole educational system. The Chinese use the same expression for Challenge and Opportunity because they are the two sides of the same coin.
We should not waste the crises of this painful pandemic, but rather exploit the opportunity to plan for Sustainability in our education system across all levels.
Time there was when an MBA from an Ivy League College will guarantee you a very lucrative high-profile job. This seems no longer to be the case.
I must tell you this story about a Kenyan lady who was settled in the UK. She had borrowed heavily to do an MBA at a business school hoping that this will secure her future.
Three years after graduation, she was facing eviction from her Council accommodation for back rents and no job in sight, albeit with a huge student loan overhang.
You cannot but empathise with her in her confusion, when through streaming tears, she told the court bailiffs how disappointed she was that she did everything right and felt rather short-changed by the system.
In my view, the real questions become: Are we setting the right expectation for Business School aspirants? Have schools missed the train of the Digital Revolution? Why are they refusing to innovate in today’s age of Digital Platforms?
After over a decade of being an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Columbia Business School in New York, and serving on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Innovation and Intrapreneurship, these are my insights about the need to re-imagine the Business School model to produce graduates who can thrive now and into the future:
- We need to start teaching people to learn “how to learn” than just to learn to master something, in this fast-disruptive world.
- The inverted classroom should be the new norm – the creative contribution of the class with a facilitator is much more effective than the messianic delivering of long lectures by a “professor”.
- To what extent are business schools allowing influence from markets – is there a concept of Entrepreneur-in-Residence or Professor of Practice attached to the school, linking industry experience and market expectation with learning concepts in business schools?
- Are we empowering students to create their own entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial spaces after graduation – today’s knowledge workers prefer to sell their time and talents to many organisations and be paid on an outcome basis than get stuck in a “9 to 5” job with one company – For example, Upwork provides a platform for matching requirements with skills in the shared economy.
- How can we encourage business schools to explore structures that teach how to leverage the need for inclusiveness, by bringing products and services to non-consumers through low-cost efficiencies and wider availability than fierce competition in a shrinking pie of current consumers?
- How can education reach more people more affordably? Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs is gradually taking the toll off traditional schools leveraging the ubiquity of broadband and connected devices – how well have we embraced the concept of MOOCs – concerns around quality of programs and teachers, while relevant, should not stop this viable way of reaching more people. They should be seen as a complement to traditional business schools than competition, especially in emerging markets, where 80% of the world resides, and are more likely to be excluded in formal settings.
- It is important for Regulation to catch up in this new area, as we open the door to online education and degrees
Clearly, hoping for an automatic lucrative job after an MBA is now a myth. The reality is that you should think along the lines of Bring Your Own Work (BYOW) to the party – this speaks to the need for deep entrepreneurial empowerment in the business school curriculum, and alignment to industry and social realities.
In my view, it is an indictment on the education system that many companies are now acting as their own incubation centres with University-like academies for new employees, following the apparent disconnect between graduating students and the job requirements of today. I believe that Universities should be collaborating with these centres to obtain valuable feedback for their curricula.
The biggest threat to success is success itself. Business Schools have been very successful over centuries. It is difficult to simulate hunger when you are full. You get into a comfort zone, and complacency sets in. You tend to assume an arrogance borne out of a false sense of invincibility that prevents you from opening yourself to any new ideas.
As change is the only constant in life, the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn, and continuously adapt has become crucial for survival and sustainability in the education sector. The global leadership space is like a game of musical chairs; always one chair short, to eject whoever is not able to adapt fast enough. Business Schools have to get on the innovation train in order not to be left behind on the tracks.
We used to say that big fish eat small fish, today it seems that it is the fast fish that eats the slow fish. It seems to me that there is no better time for deeper collaboration between town and gown than now.
Austin Okere is the Founder of CWG Plc, the largest security in the technology sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at CBS, New York. Austin also serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Business School Network, and on the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Innovation and Intrapreneurship. Austin now runs the Ausso Leadership Academy focused on Business and Entrepreneurial Mentorship.
Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasised that integrating intelligence, security, and sustainability is critical to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and global competitiveness.
Inuwa made the remarks on Tuesday in Kano while delivering a goodwill message at the opening of the 19th International Conference (CONNOVATE 2025) of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), themed “Intelligent, Secure, and Sustainable Innovations for a Connected World.”
Represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of E-Government and Digital Economy Development, Inuwa said the three elements were now indispensable drivers of national progress. He highlighted the need for their convergence to unlock new opportunities in Nigeria’s technology sector, citing Estonia’s X-Road platform — which enables 99% of government services online — as a global model.
“In Nigeria, trust is the ultimate currency in our high-stakes digital environment, where scams and cybercrime are prevalent. Security builds and protects this trust,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that while security provides the foundation, intelligence builds the structure, pointing to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and data analytics as tools for addressing Nigeria’s complex challenges. Warning that “innovation without security is unsustainable,” he likened it to “a high-performance race car without brakes.”
The DG urged the next wave of Nigerian startups to go beyond digitising existing processes to creating new value, citing AI-powered wealth management and ML-driven remote diagnostics as examples.
He further highlighted the various Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) initiatives supporting this vision, including the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, the national digital identity programme, interoperable payments, and human capital initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programmes.
Inuwa cited example with International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) President, Antony Wong, that called for stronger protection and strategic use of data in the Global South to safeguard indigenous knowledge. He stressed the importance of legal clarity on data ownership as Nigeria’s cultural heritage in medicine, ecology, and art is digitised and incorporated into AI systems. Wong praised Nigeria’s role in the recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty protecting genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
Delivering his welcome address, the NCS President, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference would serve as a platform for IT professionals to address critical issues, including intelligent systems, fintech, sustainable energy, and innovations in agriculture, health, education, and national planning.
“This conference will provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss recent innovations, trends, and solutions for improving technological systems,” Sirajo said.
The week-long event includes plenary sessions, a doctoral consortium, a youth and entrepreneurship forum, the Fellows Forum, the Annual General Meeting, an IT quiz competition for students, and an induction ceremony for new members. It will conclude with the election of new national executives, a dinner, and an awards night honouring contributions to the ICT sector.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is betting big on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for delivering Africa’s ambitious Agenda 2063.
With hands-on training in tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, the Bank believes the results could redefine how the continent plans, measures, and delivers its development goals.
Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office, the AfDB has provided technical and financial support to the 5th annual training workshop for African Union member states, focusing on the use of AI to track and implement the second ten-year plan (2024–2033) of Agenda 2063.
The five-day workshop, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was co-organised by the African Union Commission and the African Capacity Building Foundation.
Participants from across the continent rolled up their sleeves for hands-on training with emerging AI platforms like Ailyse, Google AI Studio, and Perplexity.
The goal of Africa’s multilateral development finance institution is to turn complex development data into actionable insights that can drive smarter decisions, faster interventions, and more accountable governance.
AbibuTamu, lead programme co-ordinator at the AfDB, said AI was now an indispensable tool for Africa’s future.
“These tools are not only revolutionizing how data is collected, analysed, and reported, they are also enabling more targeted policy interventions and efficient resource allocation,” Tamu told delegates.
Agenda 2063, dubbed “The Africa We Want,” is the African Union’s 50-year blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The second 10-year plan prioritises industrialisation, digital transformation, and sustainable livelihoods.
With AI now in the mix, African policymakers can track progress in real-time, spot bottlenecks before they choke projects, and reallocate resources where they are needed most.
The AfDB’s backing underscores a broader strategy of boosting both human and institutional capacity that propels African states to harness the digital revolution.
Beyond technical skills, the Lusaka workshop doubled as a peer-learning platform, with countries sharing real-world success stories on integrating AI into national planning and reporting.
“If Agenda 2063 is Africa’s long-term roadmap, this AI training is about upgrading the continent’s GPS that ensures leaders not only know the destination, but also have the intelligence to navigate every twist and turn on the way,” said Tamu.
It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.
Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.
This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.
Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
Use a VPN for secure connections
A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.
Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data
Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.
With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.
Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.
Final tips for a secure workation
Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.
Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.
For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.
By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.
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