The Professional Masters in Project Development and Implementation (My Intro)

My intention was to sign up for the MBA programme at the University of Ibadan (U.I). I however could not meet the requirement of 5 years post-NYSC experience; I had 4 as at 2013 when I enrolled.

Since I was bent on starting a Master’s programme in 2013, I instead put in for the Masters Programme in Project Development and Implementation.

As a result of the haemorrhaging and convulsing Nigerian educational system, I had to wait another 1 year to commence my programme.

I will not bore you with the effect of the incessant stroke, sorry “strike” the Nigerian educational system keeps experiencing. A lot happened in that 1 year of wait, like getting married, relocating, breaking new grounds etc.

So when I got the message from the PG School that entrance exams would be holding, I did not know what to feel. But I remembered ignoring the message for some days while I considered if it was worth it to give the University system another chance, in hopes that I would not be disappointed with maybe this time, a 2 year stroke…sorry “strike”.

After a series of written and oral examinations, I was cleared and got my admission letter and immediately started attending lectures. This was possible in part because the lectures were scheduled for Friday and Saturday, a huge relief…and the other part, because it suddenly dawned on me that I had not signed up for a glorified Project Management programme.

So what was this Masters in Project Development and Implementation really about?

According to the students’ handbook, which I only got recently, the objective of the programme is to provide students with analytical capacities, knowledge and skills necessary to propose, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

By the time I am done, the expectation is that I would have enhanced my skills and knowledge in specialist functional areas such as social, economic and infrastructural development.

I LOVED IT!

But it took me some time to come around. I mean I was asking myself, what’s with Microfinance, and Poverty and livelihood, and Development projects in Developing countries etc.? However, the more I attended classes the more I liked the courses, and the “exposure”.

As a matter of fact, it was all sweet because the things I was learning, and about to learn would help firm up ideas myself and my wife have been rolling in our heads…and mouth.

So you may wonder how all this relates to software engineering, or sports betting or unified communications or data centres. It is all related.

I know that by the end of this course, I would have a better understanding of the survival hurdles that Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid face day-by-day, the challenges being confronted by the institutions that have dedicated themselves to ensuring change happens, and how I can contribute to this much needed developmental transformation.