Here is a special project management interview I conducted with Eyitayo Ogunmola. He is a project management practitioner and also the Project Team Lead at PM Hub Nigeria. He speaks to us about his project management career, expresses his mind concerning the project management industry in Nigeria and offers advice to those who want to start their career in project management.
Tell Us About Your Background And Education?
My name is Eyitayo Ogunmola, I am the first child in a family of 5. I am actually a Nigerian and was born in Lagos State. I’m a graduate of Medical Physiology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. I am also a PMI’s certified Project Management Professional and a Green Belt Lean VI Sigma Practitioner.
How Did You Get Started In Project Management?
I have always known that the medical field is not where my passion is. I just did it because everyone around me wanted me to be a Medical Doctor. Well, my career in project management started in 2010 after my training with a project-oriented organization. I fell in love with the project management methodology and also felt a spark that told me this is where my passion lies. I didn’t wasted time and went straight for it. I started to learn more about the profession and building a dream in it. My knowledge about the profession was also greatly assisted by my mentors, the likes of Taopheek Babayeju of iCentra Consulting, Adetula Abiodun of Acceltage Consulting and to name a few.
You Are The Project Team Lead At PM Hub Nigeria. Tell Us About The Company.
I always love this part. Where do I start from? Okay, let me say PM Hub Nigeria started with a team of other young project managers; some of them were my colleagues and friends. We saw a big problem in the industry and we decided to create a solution. Most times, we got to meet people who call themselves project managers, parading years of project experiences without core knowledge of the profession. My team and I decided to educate younger professionals and some few senior executives in the subject of project management, and also helping organizations adopt best project management practices.
We engaged National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members in training and created an opportunity for them to volunteer in project management. At some point along the line, we decided to stop the training of Corp members and then introduced the Young Professional Training Scheme (YPTS) which involves the training of undergraduates. This for us was an opportunity that would help us create a bright future for the company. PM Hub Nigeria has now launched its training in about 7 schools with others in view. To say the least though, PM Hub Nigeria is not my company because I also get paid just like every other person in the team. I only lead the team and that I founded the organization, hasn’t really been of concern.
We have had our own share of the market dynamisms and we have succeeded in creating our niche. At the moment, PM Hub Nigeria has 3 major subsidiaries: the PM Academy, PM Resources, and PM Research. We have shifted from the conventional consulting into something we are more passionate about.
How Would You Assess The Project Management Practice in Nigeria?
That’s a deep one. I must confess that Nigeria’s project management practice has improved over the years. We have seen a lot of management adjustment in governance and have strategically moved to what is achievable and sustainable. Our budgets as a country is yet non-functional and we have seen the lower chamber of the House of Assembly scrutinize the process of budget reconciliation. I am also glad that some state governments have adopted the decentralized system of procurement and most now have a Special Adviser to the Government on Project Management. What we also need to keep doing is engaging project managers at the organizational level and helping them see the benefits of the methodologies and models in project management. Trust me; the number of people who are getting the project management education is increasing day-by-day. PM Hub Nigeria has already moved to the grass root to engage students of higher institution to imbibe project management essentials- which to us, is fundamental to systemic growth.
The most interesting dimension of project management is its structural organizational development.
What Do You Find Most Rewarding About Being A Project Manager?
Jerry! You really want me to answer this question. I am excited that I am a project manager because it provides a strong connection between my passion, my person (temperament) and my profession. I call it the ‘3 Ps’. I love it. The most interesting dimension of project management is its structural organizational development. I get to come into organizations, run methodological troubleshoot and help them develop better structural integrity. Recently, I developed over 30 evaluation models for an NGO in Nigeria, and if project management isn’t doing this, then no other profession will. I must admit that project management is a bit intense and demanding, but the most rewarding part of it is the multi-professional opportunity it creates. I can work anywhere and with anyone.
Do You Have Any Future Plan Aside Project Management?
I am certainly never going to leave project management. I am currently expanding my knowledge in Human Capital project management and will complete my PhD in that field. I also have deep passion for politics and might consider holding some ‘political’ responsibilities in the future.
Project management industry is one of the most competitive industries so you can’t afford to be defensive.
Lastly, What Advice Would You Give To Professionals Just Starting Their Career In Project Management?
There are a lot of new graduates who are coming into the profession, and each time I have an opportunity to advise them, I try to make it very simple, “Come in and explore.” I have understood that the project management industry is one of the most competitive industries so you can’t afford to be defensive. If you want to lead in this industry, then you must be willing to assume an offensive posture. Try and get a good mentor to guide you. Mentors have more experiences and mine have actually helped me in developing my training skills and building up my profile. Also, no company would want to give a 500 Million Naira project to someone without much project experiences, so to build up my own experiences, I offer freelance consulting and volunteering services. If there is one way to grow up in this field, it is through gaining project experiences.
I will publish more special interviews with top project management professionals from around the world on this blog.
Project Management Interview: A Special Interview With Eyitayo Ogunmola
Adetula Abiodun, Eyitayo Ogunmola, Nigerian Project Manager, PM Hub Nigeria, Project Management Interview, Taopheek Babayeju
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