The Mogaji Olubadan of Ibadan, Chief Kayode Ogunsola, has advised Nigerian youths desiring to study abroad to maximise their experiences and avoid common pitfalls.
Chief Ogunsola, stated this at the just-concluded International Study Abroad Fair 2025, sharing his insights on how studying abroad has significantly impacted his career trajectory.
During a session highlighting his success stories from study abroad alumnus, Chief Ogunsola said, “As an alumnus, studying abroad was an amazing and life-changing experience. It shaped my personal pursuits and professional life.”
“The education abroad experience led me to new career choices, and professional opportunities, shaped my worldview and now my values have completely changed positively,” he added.
He also advised students who want to pursue international study to choose a unique career path, think about what they are interested in, and focus on that.
He urged them to research their potential career choice, and where they want to go and ask for assistance to make their dream a reality.
He also supported studying abroad, urging students to return home with the skills and knowledge they acquired to help develop the nation.
Oloye Ogunsola completed his nursery and primary education at Corona School Ikoyi, Lagos. He then attended Command Secondary School in Ipaja, Lagos, for his secondary education. He is an alumnus of several universities worldwide.
Oloye holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc. Hons) degree from the University of Ibadan, an Executive MBA from Cranfield University School of Business, a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Information Systems Design from the University of Westminster (UK), and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of London (UK). Additionally, he has participated in Executive Leadership courses at Harvard University, George Mason University, and MIT, all located in the USA. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctorate program in Europe.
Chief Ogunsola was formerly chairman of the UK chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE UK) from 2007 to 2011.
He was appointed General Manager and Deputy Director of Business Development and Investment (BDI) in the Finance Directorate of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Aviation (FMA).
He served in this role during the Goodluck Jonathan administration from 2010 to 2016. He was retained during the Buhari administration until he resigned in 2020 to pursue other private and educational interests.
During his period of service in the Federal Government, he worked directly with the Office of the Honourable Minister of Aviation (HMA) from 2010 to 2014 where he led several transformation projects with International partner organisations such as the UK Met and US Enterprise Radar.
Chief Ogunsola serves as an Executive Director for various organizations and charities, including being a member of the Board of Directors for the US Chapter of the Command Lagos Old Students Association Alumni (CSSLOSA).
In business and entrepreneurship, Chief Ogunsola is the chairman of the VBG Group and owns a chain of retail service stores in the United States. His degrees in Law and Business have been instrumental in his successful ventures.
He is a certified Information Systems Architect, specializing in Enterprise Architecture, and has nearly 30 years of professional experience in managerial and executive roles.
He has worked in over 20 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, focusing on high-value global technology and digital transformation programs for leading multinational corporations in various sectors, including Finance, Insurance, Technology, Healthcare, and Utilities.
At the ISAF 2025 conference, he praised the organizers for providing a platform for alumni to share their experiences and assist new students with the study abroad process.
Additionally, he commended His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, for allocating 21 percent of the budget to education, which exceeds the UNESCO recommendation of 15-20 percent. He also noted the Governor’s efforts in reducing the number of out-of-school children by 20 percent, making Oyo State one of the states with the lowest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Similarly, the host of ISAF 2025 and Partnership Director, Lady Tolu Eledan, emphasised that the fair aimed to promote global skills among Nigerian youth who aspire to further their education abroad.
She mentioned that the fair and conference offer expert guidance and comprehensive information for undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking admission to their preferred institutions.
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