""

Oxford Saïd alumnus invests in Africa MBA scholarship programme

Published

The Oxford-Grace Lake Scholarship programme which supports talented African MBA students is to continue for a further three years.

The School's collaboration with Oxford Saïd alumnus and Grace Lake Partners CEO, Ladi Delano, is part of its Africa Initiative to recruit more students from across the continent.

From 2019, the Oxford Grace Lake Scholarship will partially fund an exceptional MBA candidate from Africa to study at Oxford. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must ordinarily be a resident in Nigeria.

Professor Peter Tufano, Dean of Saïd Business School, said: ‘I would like to thank Ladi for supporting our Africa Initiative by creating dedicated scholarships for students from Africa. We’re also thrilled that as an alumnus, he has chosen to give back to the School in this way.’

Delano has graduated twice at Oxford Saïd after completion of an MSc in Major Programme Management in 2018 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Business in 2016. He was among the key speakers at the Oxford Business Forum Africa in 2016 and spoke about the role of business on promoting social change and tackling youth unemployment. 

Ladi Delano, CEO of Grace Lake Partners, said: ‘I am very delighted to not only have had the privilege to study at the prestigious University of Oxford, but also to have been afforded the opportunity to implement a great deal of all that I have learnt at Saïd Business School in the real world. It is indeed an honour to be able to collaborate with Saïd Business School by providing the same opportunity to many other young Nigerians, through the Oxford Grace Lake scholarship scheme.’

Delano co-founded Grace Lake Partners in 2014. His investment and advisory firm builds and operates businesses that address societal needs in Nigeria, while creating economic value for the company and its shareholders.

""
Mofe Ibrahim Binitie

The first Oxford-Grace Lake scholar was awarded to Mofe Ibrahim Binitie in 2016 to study an MBA at Oxford Saïd. During his studies, Mofe was co-chair of the Oxford Africa Business Network and was on the Dean's list of students recognised for outstanding academic achievement.

‘The mentorship offered by the Oxford - Grace Lake Scholarship has been transformative for me personally, professionally and academically,’ said Mofe Ibrahim Binitie, who is the co-founder of Nigeria’s first online volunteering platform www.bethedifferenceng.org and is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. He is currently working with the Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit to develop a bespoke private sector financing mechanism for conservation.

The Oxford - Grace Lake MBA Scholarship will be available for the 2019-20 academic year and no separate application will be needed as all students meeting the criteria will automatically be considered.

The School’s Africa Initiative is designed to ensure Oxford is part of the positive change in the region, by cultivating talented African students while educating the whole student body about Africa’s intellectual wealth and economic potential. Africa-focused activities are embedded in the MBA curriculum and co-curriculum, including Africa business electives and hosting African thought-leaders to share their insights with students and alumni at events such as Oxford Business Forum Africa.