MSc International Business, Energy & Petroleum, 2011 From Aberdeen to Treasury Manager
Your Time at Aberdeen
Why did you choose to study at Aberdeen? The University of Aberdeen offered me an innovative course that was relevant to the development of the Energy sector in my home country, Nigeria.
Why did you choose your particular course? The Energy sector is constantly evolving and requires an up-to-date knowledge base and capacity. The course exposed me to emerging issues in financing sustainable energy projects.
What did you most enjoy about your time at Aberdeen? Did you have any particularly memorable student experiences? A particular experience was an industry tour we organised as students to a power generating plant in Aberdeen. The visit was my first time seeing how electricity is generated and moved to the grid for transmission.
If you were involved in any clubs and societies as a student, what did you enjoy most about them and what benefit do you think they have for students? I was the Treasurer for the Energy Institute, Aberdeen students chapter. I really enjoyed the fun trips organised by the association as it helped me unwind whilst making friends from different parts of the world.
If while at Aberdeen you benefited from a scholarship, what was the scholarship and what difference did it make to your time at Aberdeen? I benefitted from a scholarship from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Nigeria. The funding was helpful as I was able to focus on my study and achieve good grades.
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen? I would advise prospective students to be open minded, interact a lot, join a relevant student association and study hard.
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was the title of your first job after graduating from Aberdeen? Client Service Associate at HSBC Bank Plc.
What did your first role involve? Providing personal and business banking services to individuals and small businesses operating in the UK.
What is your current job title? Treasury Manager at Interswitch Limited
What is your current role? Managing commercial and corporate treasury activities including financial risks facing the company.
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now. After graduation I joined HSBC Bank in the UK and worked with the bank for two years. Upon my return to Nigeria in 2013 I took up a financial consulting role, where I was involved in performing credit risk ratings for banks in Nigeria as well as conducting macroeconomic research. In 2016 I joined British American Tobacco Lagos Nigeria as a Treasury analyst, a role which I held for three years. I took up my current role as Treasury Manager in 2019 with Interswitch Limited where I am contributing my quota towards changing the financial technology space in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.
Was your degree at Aberdeen essential for getting to where you are now? If so, in what way? My degree was vital in getting my job as a financial consultant as it helped me develop the research skills used to analyse macroeconomics.
One Top Tip
Current students and recent graduates should always endeavour to acquire updated skills in their chosen career path through training and certification. They should also participate in industry networking events to broaden their contact base.
