Ebenezer Seun Oyajumo

Why did you decide to do an MBA?

I was new to Canada and needed to better integrate into the business environment and to round out my management skills and become a better business leader.

What is the most significant thing you've learned at Ivey?

Structures and frameworks for evaluating business problems. While I already had an academic & professional background in law, finance & entrepreneurship, Ivey programming provided me with a structured approach to doing this in a more efficient and data-driven manner.

What's been the most surprising aspect of the Ivey MBA journey to date?

The biggest surprise is how much it changed me. While I was well aware of how intense and enlightening an MBA is, Ivey surpassed my expectations positively.

I feel like I can take on any professional challenge now and succeed at it.

Describe the role you play professionally:

I am a CFO at a Nigerian Fintech startup, Kobopay building the Neobank for Africans, home and diaspora.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Convincing people (especially investors) of the possibility of succeeding at such a gargantuan task.

What is your biggest professional accomplishment?

Being part of building the business to over $3M in transactions and 18,000 users.

What books are on your bedside table AND/OR what podcast are you listing to right now?

Good Economics for Hard Times by Abhijit v. Barnejee & Esther Dufloo and Unprecedented: Canada's Top CEOs on Leadership During COVID-19 by Steve Mayer & Andew Willis.

The first is particularly relevant in the current macro environment while the second is very instrumental to understanding how Canadian business leaders weathered the storm of the pandemic.

How do you manage stress (i.e. sports, exercise, meditation etc.)?

I sometimes play (table tennis) ping-pong with classmates or go out in London/Toronto with classmates and other friends.

Any additional info you might want to share (interesting facts, special hobbies etc.)

I love listening to Afrobeats and Amapiano and I have found events where this is played in London and Toronto.

The African Students Association and the Black Students Association at Western also organize events including this.

I loved going to the beach a lot back home and we have had some class and friend trips to beaches here too at Port Stanley, Grand Bend and even in Toronto.