Ndidi's Story
- Posted on:
- December 14, 2005 at midnight
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- http://es-africa.com/articles/trackback/ndidis-story/
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If you had asked me during my senior year at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania whether or not I planned on returning to Nigeria upon graduation, I would have responded with a clear “NO.” Given the immense hardships in Nigeria under the Abacha regime, the country’s future looked bleak. Even my parents, who often are so optimistic about Africa, could not imagine that any attractive opportunities existed for me in the Nigerian business landscape. In addition, I had an exciting offer from McKinsey Co. and was looking forward to starting work in their Chicago office. However, a surprise offer from a start-up company, whose management still cannot explain how they got a hold of my resume, sealed my fate. My six-week internship experience, during the summer of 1995, served as an introduction to the Nigerian corporate environment and gave birth to a fervent desire to return home. This passion was fuelled by my exposure to the widespread poverty faced by countless Nigerians, the huge social and economic gaps created by our weak and ineffective private and public sectors, the stagnation of most of my peers from high school, and my strong belief that a few small contributions could make a tremendous impact on the lives of people. With each passing day, my burden for women and youth grew stronger, as did my interest in the nonprofit sector and my conviction that promoting entrepreneurship in Nigeria, and indeed Africa, was critical to the Continent’s sustainable development. Over the next several years, and after a short-term transfer to the Johannesburg Office of McKinsey, and a stint as a consultant with an International non for profit foundation’s West African office, based in Lagos, I could not imagine life outside the Continent. Each experience proved more challenging and fulfilling than the other, and wetted my appetite for more! Overwhelmed by the prospects of repaying McKinsey for the salary advance that they had provided for me when I enrolled at HBS, I returned to the Chicago Office. However, restless and unfulfilled, I resigned in May 2000, and returned to Nigeria to serve as the pioneer executive director of a nonprofit organization Foundation in Nigeria committed to fostering business and entrepreneurial development among Nigerian youth. Moving home and starting an organization in Lagos was no easy feat. Despite the numerous challenges that each day presented, I felt an inordinate amount of personal and professional satisfaction from my work! Today, this foundation operates offices in two of Nigeria’s major cities, has served over 400 Nigerian youth through a program of Entrepreneurship and over 5,000 Nigerians through its ancillary services. The organization has received numerous international awards, including the recognition as one of the winners of the 2002 World Bank Development Marketplace Competition. The wonderful support that I received from Nigerians and friends of Nigeria residing in the United States during my first few months at this organisation revealed the need for a an office in the US. I envisioned that this organization would serve as a credible channel through which resources, information and management support would flow from the U.S. to support entrepreneurial efforts in Nigeria. The US office received its 501(C)3 status in January 2002. Through its Boston office and the amazing support of committed Board members and liaisons, it continues to -send business text books to Nigeria, match students in the U.S. with suitable internships in Nigeria, and to operate an E-based Mentor-Match Program. In December 2001, I resigned from this foundation (I currently serve as a board member) and relocated to the United States, to join my husband while he completed his MBA at HBS. During this time, I developed a vision for another nonprofit organization committed to inspiring, empowering and equipping a new cadre of African leaders by providing leadership training and executive coaching for entrepreneurs and youth and by conducting leadership research. Since its inception, it has successfully participated in a range of capacity building efforts for entrepreneurs and young leaders in Africa through projects for the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation in Rwanda and the Harvard Business School. In the past few months, the organisation has formally launched its Leadership Institutes in Nigeria, through a generous grant from the another foundation and hopes to impact the lives of entrepreneurs and youth across the country in 2004 and the Continent in future years. More recently, in collaboration with my mother, I have also launched an organization committed to helping female university students residing in Southeastern Nigeria to achieve their highest potential. Through the support of the Global Fund for Women, the Association of Women’s Rights in Development and the Open Society Institute of West Africa, this organization has begun to have tremendous impact of the lives of young Igbo women through its roving movie series, leadership institutes, one-on-one coaching sessions and career workshops. Given my roles as a new mother and a social entrepreneur, who happens to reside in Lagos (one of the most erratic cities in the world), there is never a dull moment in my life. During my most trying moments, I sometimes question my rationale for opting for a career in the Nigerian nonprofit sector. However, I must confess that the emotional and spiritual fulfillment that I have received from heeding God’s call for my life has been absolutely priceless, a decision that I would take over and over again. In deed, I am privileged to have a faithful and gracious God, a very caring and supportive husband, doting parents, fantastic siblings, great mentors and loyal friends. They all inspire and challenge me on a daily basis, as I strive to make a small difference on the African Continent. By Ndidi, Non Profit
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