You Got the Role.
Now Own It.

“I feel privileged to be on this accelerator program. My story has been about transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager. Over the course of this training, some of my junior colleagues came to me a number of times and said, ‘We’ve noticed a lot has changed in just the way you handle things.’ I have two master’s degrees — one in Nigeria and one abroad — but I will say this has been one of the best learning investments I have made in terms of development. My own manager has also come to give feedback on what she observed. Our CTO assigned me to a critical project in the office. I am truly grateful for this learning experience.”

“Before joining the NMA, I had recently taken on greater leadership responsibilities, supervising two staff members while balancing multiple administrative responsibilities. I was confident in my technical and administrative abilities — but I wanted to become more intentional about leading people. One noticeable change is that I now communicate with greater intentionality. Instead of simply giving instructions, I involve my team in discussions, clarify expectations, listen to their ideas, and provide regular feedback. I also approach challenges with a coaching mindset rather than immediately providing solutions — and that has improved both collaboration and accountability within my team. The program goes beyond theory — it develops the mindset, communication skills, and confidence required to lead people effectively.”

“I have been able to understand that there are no hard grounds — there are only weak men. How do weak men turn to strong men? It is by intentionality, self-consciousness, and self-awareness — and that comes via knowledge. It is not just leading people blindly. It is leading people with so much intentionality — understanding what you are doing, why you are doing it, and to what end. Last week, I was given a routine assignment. But I thought, there is a better way to go about this. The output was mindblowing. My direct boss had no other reason than to take it to senior leadership and say, this is worth sharing — this guy just did something exceptional. Thank you so much for this world-class content.”

“Before attending this program, one of the most significant leadership challenges I faced was effectively delegating responsibilities to my subordinates. I would assign official correspondence for drafting, but the assignments often remained unattended. Frequently, I had to complete the work myself. Initially, I saw it as a lack of commitment. But my perspective changed completely after this program. I had to dig deeper and ask why. I came to understand that the staff member had limitations — it was not unwillingness. It was a mismatch between his capabilities and the responsibility assigned to him. When I adjusted the assignment accordingly, it worked. Dr. Abraham, I want to say a big thank you for this privilege.”

“I noticed a gap when I had some interviews and realized there was something missing. I am so happy that all those gaps have been closed. I am more confident now. Before, I used to wonder how my former managers did what they did. Now I know I can do it — the technical expertise, working with people, getting the best out of them, and also working on yourself. Discovering personal issues — things from when you were young — and knowing how to make sure they do not affect you as a leader. It is just amazing. I never imagined that I could learn something like this. It makes me more confident. It makes me dream higher. I know I am coming back — but this time at a more senior level.”