My Oxford experience – So far, so good

I am still filled with excitement when I think about receiving my acceptance letter to pursue a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. The Blavatnik School of Government 's admissions team and development office were efficient and helpful, and they even arranged for me to be interviewed for the University's funding program. Luckily, I was recommended for the Africa Oxford Initiative for Graduate scholarship, which was a game changer for me. I was able to bring my family with me to Oxford, and the AfOx team was incredibly supportive throughout the entire travel application process. Although there were some delays with our visa applications, the team was able to get us to Oxford on September 25, 2022, just in time for my program to begin the next day.

I received frequent and detailed updates from the admissions team at Green Templeton College regarding my journey to Oxford. I always enjoyed reading their emails and found their guidance helpful for the next steps. The college promptly addressed my inquiries and even directed me to external resources when I needed assistance, such as finding a school for my daughter. When we arrived in Oxford, I was unsure of what to expect, but within five minutes of entering our accommodation, my daughter expressed her enjoyment of the place. My wife and I were equally pleased with our experience.

The day after my arrival, I began my studies at Oxford University, but I was off to a slow start due to jet lag and the cold weather (which I later learned was not typical for September). What impressed me most during those early days was the high level of attention to detail and rigor in the curriculum and activities of the Master of Public Policy(MPP) program, starting with the orientation weeks. As expected, all of the students in my cohort are intelligent and accomplished in their own right to have been accepted into the program. However, what was truly exciting was the grace and expertise of the faculty members. Every time a new lecturer was introduced, I was amazed by their credentials. My initiation into Oxford began with weekly quizzes and formative assessments. Learning entirely new subjects, such as philosophy and new concepts in economics and policy, proved to be challenging but mentally rewarding. During the Michaelmas term, I had the opportunity to customize my learning experience by selecting Applied Policy modules, and I chose Negotiations and Statistics.

The holiday flew by quickly, and the Hilary term began. I was excited to take the "Politics of Policymaking" course since my interest lies in politics and governance. Additionally, my Master's degree in Public Health (MPH) had prepared me for the "Evidence in Public Policy" course. As for the "Principle of Law" course, I had no expectations, but the course conveners did a great job of easing us into it. Looking back, all the courses were designed to challenge our assumptions and get us thinking like policymakers through practical learning. I enjoyed analyzing case studies from various countries, including Nigeria, and assessing the available evidence that supports public policies across different sectors.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Oxford experience is the abundance of opportunities available. However, it may not be advisable to try and take advantage of every opportunity as that could be overwhelming. I have had the privilege of attending masterclasses on "Systems leadership" and "Storytelling and public speaking" through the AfOx community in partnership with the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. These sessions were led by experts and provided hands-on learning. In addition, I have participated in career development sessions organized by Blavatnik School of Government. I greatly appreciated the feedback I received from the media training session and hope to utilize it in the future. One particular event that had a lasting impact on me was "shifting from surviving to thriving". The facilitator shared her personal story and highlighted the necessary attitudes for a successful career while avoiding burnout, fatigue, and ill health. I also had the incredible opportunity to take the Executive Programme on Public Corruption Turnarounds and be invited as an observer to the July edition of the Chandler Sessions on Integrity and Corruption. The Chandler Sessions convene senior anti-corruption officials worldwide to develop and test a new generation of strategies to entrench public integrity.

I love participating in events in Oxford and I take pride in being able to add value. One way I contribute is by serving as the Personal and Professional Development Officer for Green Templeton College Graduate Common Room. In this role, I share career opportunities with members, represent students on the College Academic Committee, and work with the college development office to connect Green Templeton College Alums and Fellows with students for career development. I was recognised for my contributions by being highly commended in the 2023 Green Templeton’s Nautilus Awards. I am also a member of the Social Policy Learning Group at the Blavatnik School of Government. Through this group, we work to address pressing social policy issues in our respective countries. My research into social policy issues in Nigeria has been eye-opening. Additionally, I am honoured to have been elected as the representative for my fellow Mastercard Foundation AfOx scholars. As the inaugural cohort in Oxford, we are still figuring things out, but I am excited to work with the team to build a strong relationship that lasts beyond our time in Oxford.

I want to express my gratitude for the incredible learning experience I've had at Oxford. I've learned a great deal, unlearned some things, and relearned others, and it's been a wonderful journey. I'm particularly thankful to the Blavatnik School of Government, Africa Oxford Initiative, and Green Templeton College for making my transition to Oxford smooth and for providing me with unparalleled support. As I enter the final phase of my program, I'm looking forward to building connections and exploring opportunities in the health sector, with a focus on pandemic preparedness and response in Africa. My goal is to apply what I've learned to serve humanity in the best way possible.