Hello, my name is Funmilayo Tolani and I am from Nigeria.
I started my education journey in my home country, attending both high and undergraduate schools in Nigeria where I studied Accounting at undergraduate level before earning a Diploma in Paralegal Studies.
In 2021, I moved to Northern Ireland to study the MSc in Management and Corporate Governance (full-time) at Ulster University.
International experience
My professional journey to date has been exciting and varied, spanning more than 12 years and managing a range of disciplines, including accounting, secretarial, audit, and corporate affairs responsibilities in recognised organisations both locally and globally.
I've always loved making decisions, so, when I was appointed as the company secretary of an international construction company, I saw the need for a professional qualification in management and corporate governance for professional development and to gain the key skills needed to perform optimally.
One of the reasons why I chose to study this programme at Ulster University was because Ulster University is the only university on the island of Ireland that combines an MSc in Management and Corporate Governance with a professional qualification from The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.
Student support
While studying at Ulster University, I got lots of support from the business school – from the Course Director to academic and non-academic staff. I enjoyed the blend of face-to-face and online training sessions which made the academic journey a smooth one. The library training sessions were very beneficial and helped me with sourcing materials for my coursework and dissertation.
Aside from the academic experience, I really appreciated the practical aspect of my study. During the programme, I was assigned to a public sector organisation in Northern Ireland through the mentorship scheme, and I acquired practical experience on how decisions are made in the boardroom - a key highlight of the course. This experience provided me with the knowledge, transferrable skills and confidence to make a positive difference to the lives of others, organisations as well as society.
Life after graduation
To give back to the community, I am currently volunteering with two charity organisations in Northern Ireland, Multi-Ethnic Sport and Culture NI, Diverse Youth NI.
As for the future, I aspire to join the boards of public and third sector organisations.
For more information on the MSc in Management and Corporate Governance, visit: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/202223/management-and-corporate-governance-28034