An educationist, Nkechi Fakoya, has advised professionals not to be afraid of taking risks in their chosen careers.

Ms Fakoya, a principal of a boarding school, gave the advice in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

She said many entrepreneurs and professionals become stagnant in their growth because of fear of taking risks and losing what they already have.

According to her, the training she acquired from the Lagos-based HARDE Business School (HBS) helped her build confidence, skills and proficiency in her job.

She added that the Finance for Business Leaders module was one of her most valuable learning experiences.

“I joined the programme because I wanted to better understand the business side of education.

“One key lesson I took away was that I should not be afraid to take risks. I learned how to understand financial risks, what to accept and what to let go. 

“As a principal in a boarding school, I found the Business Leadership Executive Programme (BLEP) and courses impactful and relevant to my work,” Ms Fakoya said.

“The negotiation course helped me understand how to approach situations where both sides need to reach a solution.

“The AI, design thinking and critical thinking sessions also aligned strongly with what we are doing in school as a Google Reference School.

“I advise professionals like me to also take this course to avoid being afraid of taking essential risks for business growth,” she said.

Dami Oguntunde, Chief Executive Officer of HBS, told journalists that many professionals were often expected to lead or manage serious tasks before they were fully prepared or properly supported.

“So, we asked ourselves how technology can be used to make education more flexible and immediately useful. That led us to build a system that delivers practical, job-ready skills,” he said.

“BLEP gives them that structure. It helps them lead with confidence, discipline and a deeper understanding of business.

“Participants leave the programme with practical tools for decision-making, team leadership, business growth and personal effectiveness.

They also join a learning community of professionals committed to building better organisations across their industries,” he said.

The school disclosed that it had trained more than 45,000 learners in four years, issuing thousands of certificates, with completion rates exceeding industry averages due to its use of interactive and gamified learning methods.

Mr Oguntunde noted that many participants had secured employment shortly after completing courses on the platform.

He also highlighted the launch of a free Entry-Level Professional Course aimed at equipping young professionals with essential workplace skills.

“The programme, which covers personal effectiveness, effective communication, critical thinking and AI workflows, has already attracted nearly 500 applicants ahead of its commencement.

“We intend to admit between 200 and 250 participants for the four-week programme. Top-performing candidates will be connected to internship and entry-level job opportunities within our partner network,” he said.

 (NAN)