Dr Alim Abubakre’s Early Life And Education
Dr Alim Abubakre, a British citizen, has worked in Nigeria at the World Bank-funded Poverty Reduction Agency, one of the emerging countries’ most significant public-private partnership infrastructural projects.
Dr Abubakre holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Leicester. During his study, he was appointed the President/Course Representative, which entailed attending regular meetings with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bob Burgess. Due to his vision, he conceived and collaborated with other MBA students to organise the first student organised confab on the financial crises in 2008 in the UK. Due to the success of this confab, which resulted in coverage in BBC, Independent and Times Higher Education and his work with engaging stakeholders on behalf of his colleagues, he was awarded the Course representative of the year from among 400-course representatives at Leicester. He was the first African in the history of the University to receive this honour. He also holds a Doctorate in Strategy from the University of Southampton, and his thesis was on Evaluating stakeholder theory in a developing country context. He has been invited to present his research findings at the Academy of Management in the USA and the British Academy of Management confab. The findings of his doctoral studies informed the confab and led to the conception of the oil and gas confab titled leaders in oil and gas in Africa. This confab partnered with Oxford University, Financial Times, London Stock Exchange, the Law Society and the Royal African Society. This confab was held on the 22nd of October at the Kensington Royal Garden Hotel, London.
Dr Abubakre’s education and early career experiences provided him with a strong foundation in business and management, which he would later draw upon in his work with These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK. His education and early career experiences also instilled in him a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to positively impact society.
His Career Journey Post-MBA
After completing his MBA, Dr Abubakre began his career in the corporate world, working as Director of Strategy at a multinational firm based in Cambridge and serving as Non-Executive Director of Cambridge to Africa. He has also served on the advisory board of the London School of Economics Africa Society and still sits on the London Business School Africa club.
Throughout his career, Dr Abubakre observed a common problem in many organisations – a lack of effective leadership and management. He noticed that many organisations struggled to develop and implement effective strategies, lacked the necessary skills to manage their resources efficiently, and failed to inspire their teams to achieve their goals.
In response to this problem, Dr Abubakre founded These Young Minds, a leadership development and management consultancy firm. ‘Young’ is related to innovation, challenging assumptions, having a growth mindset culture and continuous renewal. Through this company, he aimed to help organisations develop effective leaders and managers by providing executive development, coaching, and consulting services. These Young Minds first client was Microsoft, UK. During the first few years of the company’s operation, it partnered with renowned institutions such as Oxford, INSEAD, Manchester and Henley Business School to co-deliver executive development programmes. However, when These Young Minds decided to optimise her impact by expanding into delivering programmes in Africa and the partner institutions were not keen on this, These Young Minds chose to explore their expansion into Africa, deploying her impactful methodology on her own.
Since its inception, These Young Minds has become a leading player in the industry, working with top executives and organisations across the globe. The company has helped many organisations to achieve their goals by improving their leadership and management practices.
In 2015, These Young Minds rebranded as These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK, following its quest to expand its services to Africa, where some of her clients misconstrued the meaning of Young in the company name. Alim Abubakre has worked as an academic at Nottingham Business School, Coventry and Sheffield Business School. He teaches Strategy, Leadership and addresses issues around global challenges for MBA and MSC students. In addition, he has served as a judge on the University of Leicester Postgraduate Festival of Education, as an external doctoral examiner to UNICAF and supervises postgraduate students, including doctoral candidates.
Major Contributions To Industry And Leadership
Dr Abubakre’s contributions to the industry have been significant. He is a highly respected thought leader and has written extensively on leadership, strategy, and management. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, where he shares his knowledge and insights with other professionals in the industry. In addition, he has delivered keynotes at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and Henley Business School. The title of his keynote at Cambridge was Entrepreneurship in the Green Economy, Sustainability amidst Austerity, Resource scarce and a limited growth world at London School of Economics and Bridging the gap between Sustainability and the Board at Cambridge University.
One of Dr Abubakre’s most notable contributions to the industry is his work in developing the “intra-stakeholder conflict and historical hangover” informed by his doctoral research. These concepts provide a holistic approach to leadership and management and emphasise the importance of exploring a normative approach while engaging stakeholders.
These concepts have been used in designing executive development solutions that have been widely adopted by organisations worldwide and have helped many leaders and managers develop the skills and competencies needed to succeed in their roles.
Another notable contribution by Dr Abubakre is his work in promoting entrepreneurship in emerging countries. He has been involved in various initiatives aimed at supporting and developing entrepreneurship in the country. He has worked closely with the government, private sector, and civil society organisations to promote entrepreneurship to unlock the wealth of nations and drive economic growth and development.
Abubakre has been chosen as one of the top 100 Virgin Media emerging entrepreneurs in the UK. Due to his contribution to nation-building, he was selected to accompany London’s Lord Mayor on his entourage to Nigeria in 2015. Due to his contribution to executive education, he has engaged with two UK Prime Ministers and has been invited to St James’s palace by the UK royal family. He is a Fellow (FIOEE) of the UK’s Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs, A senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a Chartered Member of Business Educators in the UK.
What Does His Personal Life Look Like?
Dr Alim Abubakre, the founder of These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK, is a private individual who keeps his personal life largely out of the public eye.
In his free time, Dr Abubakre enjoys mentoring the youths and encourages them to channel their energy to positive initiatives that will impact society positively. He is also an avid traveller and enjoys exploring different parts of the world and experiencing different cultures.
Dr Abubakre is known to be a silent philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable causes over the years. He is particularly interested in initiatives promoting education, youth development, and good governance. He has supported multiple organisations working in these areas.
In general, while Dr Abubakre keeps his personal life largely private, it is clear that his family, personal interests, and philanthropic work are important aspects of his life outside of his work with These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK.
What Challenges Has He Faced As A Leader?
Like any successful entrepreneur, Dr Abubakre has faced his fair share of challenges along the way. However, one of his biggest challenges was establishing These Young Minds in a highly competitive industry.
As a new player in the market, Dr Abubakre had to work hard to build his company’s reputation and establish a solid customer base. However, he faced intense competition from well-established players in the industry and had to find ways to differentiate his company from the competition.
To overcome these challenges, Dr Abubakre focused on building strong relationships with his clients, providing high-quality services, and delivering value for money. He also invested heavily in marketing and branding to ensure that These Young Minds was visible and recognisable in the industry.
Another challenge that Dr Abubakre faced was managing the growth of his company. As These Young Minds grew rapidly, Dr Abubakre had to find ways to scale the business without compromising on the quality of services offered.
To address this challenge, Dr Abubakre focused on building a strong team of professionals and invested heavily in training and development programs to ensure that his team are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality services. He also implemented systems and processes to streamline operations and ensure efficiency, which helped to manage the company’s growth.
VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED FROM HIS LIFE, CHALLENGES AND EXPERIENCE
Dr Abubakre has learned many valuable lessons through his journey as an entrepreneur. One of the most important lessons he has learned is the importance of perseverance and hard work. He believes that success does not come easy and that one must be willing to work hard and persevere in facing challenges and setbacks.
Another lesson that Dr Abubakre has learned is the importance of having a strong vision and purpose. He believes that a clear vision and purpose are essential for any successful entrepreneur and provides a roadmap for achieving one’s goals.
Dr Abubakre has also learned the importance of taking calculated risks. He believes that taking risks is an essential part of entrepreneurship, but it is crucial to weigh the risks carefully and make informed decisions.
Finally, Dr Abubakre has learned the importance of giving back to society. He believes that successful entrepreneurs are responsible for using their success to positively impact society and support initiatives that promote social responsibility and community development.
WHAT’S HIS LEGACY AS A LEADER?
The legacy of Dr Alim Abubakre, founder of These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK, is one of innovation, impact, and excellence in executive education. Dr Abubakre has established a reputation as a thought leader and expert in leadership, strategy and management and has significantly contributed to developing executives and business leaders worldwide.
Through his work with These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK, Dr Abubakre has developed and delivered cutting-edge executive education programs that have helped over 4000 individuals and hundreds of organisations achieve their goals and reach new levels of success. He has developed a unique approach to executive education that focuses on practical, real-world solutions and has brought together a team of world-renowned faculty who are willing to relearn and unlearn by deploying TEXEM’s methodology for the success of the clients. Those dynamic and resourceful faculty are committed to delivering high-quality TEXEM programmes that meet the needs of their clients.
Dr Abubakre’s legacy extends beyond his work with These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK, as he has also been a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, youth development, and education. He has supported various charitable causes over the years and has been involved in initiatives that promote education and youth development in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
In a nutshell, Dr Abubakre’s legacy is one of excellence, innovation, and impact in executive education. He has significantly contributed to developing leaders and executives worldwide, and his work will continue to inspire and influence the next generation of business leaders for years to come.
WHAT DO STAKEHOLDERS SAY?
Developer of the intellectual property of the chip on every ATM card, Former; adviser to the Prime Minister of Netherlands, Founder of Harvard Maximise Your Board programme, and Chair of Intrabond, Professor Rodria Laline, said:
“I am proud to have the privilege of being a part of the TEXEM team founded by the remarkable Dr Alim Abubakre. His executive education programs for corporate and public leaders in Africa have impressed me with how much he cares about every participant, not just during the executive development programmes but even afterwards. He is an inspiration to everyone, including his faculty, me included.
He is the heart and soul of the TEXEM team spirit.
I could not help but have a constant smile on my face, thanks to Dr Alim Abubakre’s infectious positive energy. He has an exceptional ability to bring great minds together, fostering discussions that lead to incredible ideas. His love for all humankind and commitment to caring for one another is evident in everything he does. He is truly a professional executive trainer who expertly matches and transforms the learning context into the appropriate business and strategy development context.
Dr Alim Abubakre is an exceptional leader who challenges and enables the process, selects the right people to work with, and follows his influential leaders. His ability to develop and train top leaders is unparalleled, and his organisational, contextual, and strategic leadership insight in uncertain times is astonishing. He always sees opportunities to help others and is committed to positively impacting others without expecting anything in return.
His compassion touches the hearts of all who know him.
In short, Dr Alim Abubakre is an extraordinary individual who makes the TEXEM team and the people of Africa shine. His purposeful and compassionate leadership has significantly impacted the lives of those around him, and he continues to inspire and empower us all. I am proud to be a part of his faculty and grateful for the opportunity to work with him”.
“Dr Alim Abubakre is a strategic thinker and global resource.”
Okon Effiong, Director of New Energy, Seplat
“Dr Alim is a very positive person. He encourages everyone to be their best.”
Ighojovbe Oghenekaro GM HR, Agip
“I attended a leadership course with Texem facilitated by Dr Alim Abubakre in 2022. I found him to be passionate and highly motivated in imparting knowledge to the participants. He displayed great ability in organising seasoned professionals and experts in delivering insightful, engaging and interactive programmes. He is enthusiastic, accessible and takes a special interest in every participant throughout the programme. I wish him all the best in his various endeavours.”
Engr. L. A. Cardoso. Regional Coordinator Southwest, NMDPRA
“Alim’s contribution to Nigeria and the Nigerian economy is his constant pursuit to bring the best minds and the brightest idea to the Nigerian businesses, so leaders can learn, grow and bring new best practices to the workplace.”
– Asnani Naresh CEO of Emel Group of Companies
“Alim is a dedicated seeker of change in African professionals. He is determined to offer executives the opportunity to develop themselves so that they can develop their organisations, and then organisations can develop nations. Alim is driven by a passionate commitment, one that does not waiver in the face of challenges and disappointments. He will succeed because he knows that what he is pursuing is right. Working in some small way alongside him is a pleasure and a privilege.”
– Professor Roger Delves, Professor of Practice, Hult University
“Alim has tremendous energy and an unwavering commitment to helping leaders in Nigeria to be exceptional and achieve their true potential. His passion for learning matches his infectious enthusiasm for assisting people in embracing new ideas and applying them in their organisation, delivering high-performance results. He brings knowledge and expertise to any client with his well-respected academic and business career as a university lecturer and entrepreneur.
– Professor Paul Griffith
“Capable and resilient” – Dr MUSA Zagi, Deputy Director, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
WRAPPING IT UP
In conclusion, Dr Alim Abubakre is a true visionary and leader in the business world, with a passion for developing influential leaders and managers. Through his company, These Executive Minds TEXEM, UK, he has helped many organisations to achieve their goals by improving their leadership and management practices. His contributions to the industry are significant, and his work promoting excellence in leadership in Nigeria has the potential to impact the country’s economic development positively.
Dr Abubakre’s success can be attributed to his extensive knowledge, experience, and expertise in strategy, leadership and management. He understands organisations’ challenges today and has developed effective strategies to help them overcome them.
ute over 45% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), with 98.8% of them in the micro cadre. They account for nearly 90% of the jobs in the country. Therefore, as MSMEs grow, they create more jobs, which leads to prosperity for more, and less insecurity across the country. With business climate reforms, our job is to unlock the constraints faced by these businesses and support them by making it a progressively easier for MSMEs to start and grow their businesses so they can thrive and scale.
It is an undeniable fact that in the last eight years, the current Administration of President made unprecedented strides in improving the nation’s infrastructure with the delivery of over 1,000km of roads and bridges, rail networks, airport terminals and more.
Importantly, for the first time in Nigeria, soft infrastructure was also prioritized with an ease of doing business intervention coordinated through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Chaired by the Vice President. The Council partners with stakeholders from all arms and levels of government and the private sector to reduce the costs and time of doing business by removing bureaucratic and legislative bottlenecks, facilitating access to justice and enhancing transparency, particularly through the use of technology. The over 180 reforms implemented to date, with particular emphasis on six sectors/sub-sectors disproportionately populated by our youth, (agribusiness, creative sector, light manufacturing, tech, transport and logistics and decentralized power), have earned us some level of trust from the private sector stakeholders as well as renewed credibility with informed international audiences. However, our work has not been without its challenges.
Building on this foundation, the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will decisively address the most pressing constraints directly affecting MSMEs in the next Administration. These challenges include insecurity, infrastructure deficit, inflation, and foreign exchange problems (now compounded by Naira scarcity) by improving productivity and trade facilitation, among other regulatory policy and implementation reforms.
We are aware that these challenges are manifold, but we are confident that they are not insurmountable. The antidote to insecurity, and to the type of Inflation we are currently experiencing, is increased productivity and competitiveness, with stable, predictable policies -for example, a single, transparent foreign exchange rate for both domestic and foreign transactions.
The next Administration will urgently address fiscal, monetary, and trade reforms to effectively increase domestic production, thus serving to curb inflation, and to ensure better macro-economic stability by accelerating inclusive growth and job creation across Nigeria – key enablers for MSMEs to deliver prosperity for all.
In 2022, the largest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP in the first three quarters were the Services sector, which grew by 7.1% mainly thanks to ICT and professional services, the Agricultural sector, which experienced weak productivity levels with a growth of 1.8%, and the Industrial sector, which remained in the contraction territory, posting negative growth of – 5.7% over the same period. Yet, these sectors are where the jobs are. They are, therefore, the top priority of the next Administration.
No modern economy has developed without a strong industrial base, and Nigeria is not likely to be different. Therefore, productivity and competitiveness are essential if Nigeria is to increase exports, and take maximum advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area through a strong industrial base. The next Tinubu-led Administration is already committed to aggressively supporting non-oil exports to earn desperately needed foreign exchange and revenue for the economy.
Till then, we shall continue to strive towards a reformed regulatory environment by deepening the implementation of Executive Order 001 on transparency and efficiency of public service delivery to businesses, which has recently been codified, along with other important reforms such as the legislation of a Single Window for trade facilitation, under the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023. This Act will ensure sustainability of existing reforms and act as a springboard for catalytic interventions in this area by the next progressive Administration. Then, we shall quickly extend bridges of collaboration based on mutual respect to our business owners so they can trust the process to grow with renewed confidence.
Clearly, the economic performance of any nation is directly linked to the pace of reforms. We shall prioritize proper coordination of our economic policy, and implement key reforms with intentionality in the short term to medium term and beyond.
Practically speaking, this will mean a single-minded pursuit of growth-promoting, employment-creating, and poverty-eradicating policies, with renewed vigour, as outlined in our manifesto “Renewed Hope 2023: Action Plan for a Better Nigeria”.
– Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business and ES to the PEBEC, is also Economic Adviser to the APC PCC.
