In recent years Nigeria experienced rapid
economic growth, albeit from a depressed base. Fueled by substantial oil
revenues and serving the largest population in Africa, Nigeria's corporate
sector is second only to South Africa's on the continent. The country faces
challenges on all fronts, not least the need to provide employment and services
to a population which doubles in size with every generation.
Since November 2007, GBSN has been working closely with Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation to develop and implement the 10,000 Women Initiative. GBSN has supported the identification of academic partners globally to participate in 10,000 Women. In addition, GBSN advises the Goldman Sachs Foundation on international best practice in enhancing and supporting business education in developing countries and establishing short-term entrepreneurship education programs.
Thanks to support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GBSN undertook a Health Leadership and Management Training Survey in three countries (Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal) in order to provide a solid foundation for designing one or more interventions, drawing on the specific contributions of business schools, which will significantly strengthen health care management in these countries.
To address the training needs of small enterprises and entrepreneurs in Nigeria, GBSN assisted Lagos Business School’s Enterprise Development Services expand its small enterprise training programs to include a series of short courses in key management topics, culminating in an entrepreneurship degree program.
On July 12, 2007 GBSN convened its International Advisory Board for Health Management along with several other experts and practitioners in the field of health management for a one-day workshop. This workshop focused on best practices and lessons learned in teaching leadership and management to health professionals, and using Business Schools as a venue for strengthening human resources for health in developing countries. This was made possible by a generous grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
To disseminate best practices in business teaching throughout Africa, GBSN worked with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), in partnership with Lagos Business School (LBS) and other network schools, to develop a case method teaching workshop in South Africa for faculty across the continent. The program promoted the development of a peer support network for African business faculty who use discussion-based, practice-oriented teaching methods.
Food for Thought
"Building national competitiveness through the development of human capital is one of
the most important factors for building a private sector, completing the transition to a
market-oriented economy, and creating an environment that allows for sustainable
economic growth."
-"Assessment of Graduate Management Education", William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan Business School (2003)