Efosa Uwaifo, CBS MBA Class of 2022
Age: 31
Hometown: Benin-City, Nigeria.
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Benin, Chemical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 8 years, energy industry.
Why business school? Why now?
My big passions are energy, the environment, and Africa. Business school was firstly an environment for me to develop solutions to problems such as the global energy transition, climate change, and low access to energy in Africa. Secondly, an ideal launchpad to move closer to where decisions are being made on these issues. Having worked in a mix of technical, commercial, and strategy roles over the past eight years, I felt ready to take on projects that had a high impact on the areas I am most passionate about.
Why CBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The big attraction for me was that within the MBA, CBS had a Climate Change and Business Program. It was also helpful that Columbia’s faculty and institutes were already doing impactful work in this area. I soon realized (to borrow from Bill Shankly) that CBS was made for me and I was made for CBS because, after 2 months, I have already had the chance to work on a project aimed at making Africa industrialized without fossil fuels.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
I got to work undertake multiple transformation projects in the energy industry across West Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The perspective I gained from these experiences has allowed me to add unique insights to my classes and in campus groups such as Energy & Infrastructure Club, Green Business Club, and the Africa Business Club.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I was once sitting in a Portakabin and Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, casually walked in.
Post-MBA career interests?
Energy finance.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
—One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Speak to current students or alumni about their experiences. During the application process I realized that while you can get a great business education from any top program, there are additional unique elements of each program that you can only unlock by leveraging students and alumni. These unique elements make for a more rewarding MBA experience, hence the importance of finding the right fit.
—One thing you would change or do differently?
I would visit campuses and do all of my interviews on campus as much as possible. I couldn’t do that especially because of the pandemic but would have loved to.
—Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Nothing at all. The level of introspection the application and interview process required was very helpful for me and remains so, even today.
What is your initial impression of CBS’s students/culture/community?
I really appreciate how invested everyone is in each other’s success. I have already gotten more support in two months than I imagined I would get over two years from the faculty, staff, my classmates, and alumni.
One thing you have learned about CBS that has surprised you?
How different and yet similar we all are. One of my classmates recently said that we are all (Columbia) blue, but each one of us is a different shade of it, and that could not be more true.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Whether I will have enough hours to do all the things I want, and have, to do. There are so many amazing events, programs, classes, and groups that I want to be part of at CBS and not enough time.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Building meaningful relationships with my classmates, faculty, and alumni. I love how zoom has somewhat made it easier for us all to connect.
