PLEASE EXPLORE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH

This morning, I had a very inspiring chat with one of our Coaches at Cerca Africa. I wish I can mention her name but for her privacy, I won’t.

She has a first degree in Economics and she works with a public sector office in Nigeria as an Energy stakeholder, mainly in Personnel and Human Resources roles, et al. Over the years, she has developed a lot of competence in trauma informed care, life coaching, mental health and emotional intelligence. She has obtained training and certifications from several organizations, not limited to Cerca Africa (and the then SOBCA). She has paid a lot of dues growing capacity to understand the human mind and behaviour. She has authored 3 books to date and is building a platform for helping people reinvent themselves.

THAT IS NOT THE MESSAGE OF THIS POST.

Last week, she told me she resumed an MSc programme in HEALTH ECONOMICS. This is a degree that helps her study into the field of how mental health can be enhanced with economic models; especially areas like INSURANCE.

This got me really excited.

Why?

Because, for the past 5-6 years, my team and I have tried a lot of ways to explore insurance for our clients who need mental health intervention at a more affordable rate. THERAPY IS COSTLY and many people need help to pay for the sessions. It has been a quagmire for us; so this research opportunity particularly excites me.

What is the point I’m making here?

I think this reminds me of the REAL PURPOSE of postgraduate education. In Nigeria, we are meant to believe that postgraduate education is for being ‘advanced’ in credentials so that we can get a better job. We see postgraduate education as a ticket to earn more and become more competitive in the market. IT IS NOT UNTRUE; but it is way more than that.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EVER CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF HUMAN PROBLEMS. When we decide to pursue a postgraduate degree, it should be driven by the PASSION TO SOLVE A HUMAN PROBLEM.

I did not get a Masters degree until 18 years after leaving the university when I was done with my B.Tech (Hons). Not because I didn’t see the need but because I wasn’t going to earn a Masters for the books. And immediately I found a business problem I needed to help my clients solve, I obtained an MBA, and MSc in quick successions. I BELIEVE IN LEARNING TO APPLY; Not learning to add accolades.

Despite my current obstacles of completing my DBA, I am dogged that I will complete it before I am 50 years old because I know how much of business problems I want to help my clients solve.

THIS IS MY PHILOSOPHY ABOUT GETTING POSTGRADUATE CREDENTIALS.

My encouragement today: Please Get A Postgraduate Degree … find a human problem and contribute your quota to solve it from an academic research standpoint.

I have encouraged this Coach to use Cerca Africa as one of her Case Studies… LET US SOLVE THIS COST OF MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION FROM AN EMPIRICAL STANDPOINT. May God see her through.

Does this make sense to you?

Share your thoughts with me please.

Thank you.

Sam Obafemi, DBA (Honoris Causa)
The Octopus 🐙