Amos Alayande (MBA ’25) arrived at Rotman from Nigeria, with plans to not just excel academically, but to build a strong community as well.
Before Rotman, Alayande worked at British American Tobacco in Nigeria, in the fields of engineering services and supply management. Over his five years with the company, he oversaw operations and monitored the supply chain flow across West and Central Africa. He appreciated this experience but began to feel he was ready to provide more innovative solutions in his field. "I wanted more,” he says. “I wanted to create change within the industry - create products that make a positive impact on people's lives – and things like that.” This desire for a more meaningful role led Alayande to explore an MBA.
Alayande was selective in his school applications. He considered Rotman the best option in Canada, in part because of its two-year program - which he believed would offer more depth than one-year alternatives. In Canada, he only applied to Rotman, and a few select schools in the U.S.
When he arrived to begin Rotman’s Full-time MBA program, Alayande found the coursework transformative. "Finance 1 was really important. I had a gap in my finance knowledge that this class filled.” He says he also benefited from the marketing course, Managing Customer Value. “This class helped me to better understand market dynamics and business planning.”
Rotman offers a four-month Flexible Internship Program for its full time MBA students. For his internship, Alayande worked with Vale, a mining firm. Specifically, he oversaw the company’s accounts receivable for their international subsidiary companies. From Vale, Alayande says he has gained practical experience in the field of finance - particularly in capital management. “Being part of a global company has helped me learn about different financial practices across different markets.” He says his time there made him realize that he’d like to pursue a career in capital markets and asset management.
Alayande also took part in the Rotman LEADS Mentorship Program, where he was paired with Richard Nesbitt, a distinguished leader in the business community. He says the mentorship has evolved into a strong relationship, and Nesbitt continues to offer him valuable professional guidance and personal support. “He not only helps with career planning, but also adapting to a new cultural setting.”
Alayande’s Rotman experience has extended beyond the classroom. One of the first clubs he joined was the Rotman African and Caribbean Business Club (RACBC). He says the club has given him a close-knit network of connections, which helped make his transition to life in Canada much smoother. “Now [from this club], I have a community. It’s almost like a family.” Beyond the RACBC, Alayande became a member of the Rotman Finance Association and the Rotman Asset Management Association, which he says have both aligned well with his strong interest in finance, and have helped expand his network. Alayande took on a leadership role as sports manager for the Graduate Business Council (GBC). In this position, he was responsible for organizing intramural sports activities. He says his efforts helped increase student participation - particularly for women.
Another significant aspect of Alayande’s community-building journey was his experience living in the University of Toronto’s Family Housing. He says he and his wife, Kosy developed close friendships with other Rotman families, and that he and his wife have built a community there. “Kosy and some of the other women go shopping together, get groceries, see movies.”
Alayande plans to stay in Canada after he graduates this spring and is currently applying for jobs. With many leads coming from the contacts he met in the program, as well as career services, Alayande is regularly meeting with prospective employers, and feels confident in his future career trajectory.
And in the meantime, he’s enjoying his time thoroughly – and has found news new community enriching. “Canada is a welcoming and diverse country. My experiences here have enhanced so many parts of my life.”
“I’ve met a couple of people who came to Canada through the PR [permanent resident] program. They didn't go to school. They they got a job eventually, and they're working. But I believe that because of Rotman, I have a stronger community that I can rely on.’”