I am playing a secret ethnic game.

These are two Nigerians below. One is Igbo, the other is Yoruba. I have removed their names and their Nigerian universities/schools of attendance to help in not identifying them easily.

They both work in the same organization involved in agriculture and food security issues.
They are both at the same rank presently.
Obviously, they both are rising stars in the establishment.

Based on their overall (academic and professional qualifications) who do you think should be made the future CEO of the organization? The information below comes directly from the Company's Website, whose identity I have also removed.

I want to see how many of us can unknowingly chose the candidate that belongs to their own ethnic group. I will disclose who is Igbo and who is Yoruba between them later.


(1)
Name: xxxxx xxxxx
Position: Programme Officer – Seeds

xxxxx xxxxx holds a Master’s degree in Food Safety and Quality Management with specialisation in post-harvest technology and economics from the University of Greenwich, UK and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from the University of abcd, Nigeria. He is an old boy of the prestigious school, ijkl's College efgh, Nigeria.

xxxxx xxxxx has worked with notable organisations in Nigeria and the UK including the National Assembly, Abuja, Nigeria; the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Nigeria; Medway Council, Kent, UK; Fourayes Farm, Kent, UK; and International Produce, Kent, UK.

His roles have revolved around designing and implementing quality management systems to guarantee compliance to food safety regulations; developing marketing strategies to ensure efficient product delivery; and facilitating agricultural development through innovative extension services and capacity building.

As Programme Officer – Seeds, he is responsible for assisting with implementation of product deployment strategies and plans for the PBR Cowpea project to facilitate efficient product delivery and ensure regulatory compliance. xxxxx xxxxx is a Nigerian.

======================================================================================

(2)

Name: yyyyyy yyyyyy
Position: Programme Officer - West Africa

yyyyyy yyyyyy is an action researcher with 11 years of practical quest to contribute to strengthening the livelihood of smallholder farmers by helping to increase their agricultural productivity and competitiveness thereby reducing hunger and poverty.

He holds a B.Agric (Animal Science and Animal Health) from the University of xyz, Nigeria, and a Masters in Human Development and Food Security from the University of Rome (Roma Tre).

Before joining the company, yyyyyy yyyyyy worked for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture in Nigeria, and the National Association of Nigerian Traders, among other NGOs. yyyyyy yyyyyy served in the ECOWAS Scientific Committee for the second ECOWAS Development Report and also worked as a consultant/resource person to the European Commission/Pro€Invest and the UN Women.

Yyyyyy yyyyyy is Program Officer for the Maruca-Resistant Cowpea Project. yyyyyy yyyyyy is a Nigerian national.

Nawaoh...

EasternActivist:
Nawaoh...

Wetin be nawaoh....? Choose one, abeg!

Comparing these two guys with other colleagues in the company, a few things are clear:

1. A degree from abroad is advantageous in Nigeria
2. A Masters degree seems to be preferred as the minimum qualification for mid to senior level positions
3. Working experience from different (rather than one) establishments counts, irrespective of number of years in each job.

i think xxxx xxxx should have the job.my reason being that his resumé shows that he has got experience with organisational management and as such should be well suited for the job.

geez18:
i think xxxx xxxx should have the job.my reason being that his resumé shows that he has got experience with organisational management and as such should be well suited for the job.

But have you considered the global and regional (FAO, IFAD and ECOWAS) organizational experience of yyyy yyyy? Could that help to attract international connections/gains/advantages/perks for the company?

Ramnon2:


But have you considered the global and regional (FAO, IFAD and ECOWAS) organizational experience of yyyy yyyy? Could that help to attract international connections/gains/advantages/perks for the company?

xxxx xxxx has got some experience working for foreign organisations too like the International Produce,Kent. so you see,he's got a plus on his side. He should be made overall head while you could also make yyyy yyyy the head of your company's foreign or international wing.this way,you create a synergy between both personel,maximizing both's potential to the fullest.

What's the primary responsibility of "Management", at least for C-Level execs like a CEO? It's Planning or rather, "Strategic Planning".

To plan, you must prepare and to prepare you must have a vision, and often times, research provides insight to a vision. After a vision, you can make quality assessment based on preliminary findings and determine if it's worth advanced research that requires the actual plan and objective. The plan stages involves leveraging professional relationships which is required in the implementation and review of the whole process. For instance, no matter your growth plan, if you're unable to secure financial/regional partners in your field, your plan is as good as dead. CEO's are not hired because they have advanced degrees, they are hired because of their networking/funding/management potential. There are many CFO's, COO's,CMO, and other C- Level execs that have advanced degrees than a CEO, but what sets apart a CEO may be because of his background/relationships.

Therefore, my submission is that one is a strategic planner and the other is an implementer/reviewer.

Bleep-xxxx is an implementer, he's only responsible for managing a niche: implementing and reviewing. He would make a good candidate for director/Unit Chief or Chief Agric Officer, etc but he isn't a strong candidate for a CEO job. This isn't that he isn't fit, BUT he isn't a strong candidate.

His roles have revolved around designing and implementing quality management systems to guarantee compliance to food safety regulations; developing marketing strategies to ensure efficient product delivery; and facilitating agricultural development through innovative extension services and capacity building.

yyy-yyyy is a planner who has leveraged business/professional relationships that may prove useful when needed. The fact he consulted for an international organization makes a difference. Also, he oversees the project as an "officer" rather than just a phase/portion of the project proves that he has not only professional but management skills which is beyond professional research.

is an action researcher; Before joining the company, yyyyyy yyyyyy worked for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture in Nigeria, and the National Association of Nigerian Traders, among other NGOs. yyyyyy yyyyyy served in the ECOWAS Scientific Committee for the second ECOWAS Development Report and also worked as a consultant/resource person to the European Commission/Pro€Invest and the UN Women.

I would hire yyyy for the reasons outlined above.

manny4life:
What's the primary responsibility of "Management", at least for C-Level execs like a CEO? It's Planning or rather, "Strategic Planning".

To plan, you must prepare and to prepare you must have a vision, and often times, research provides insight to a vision. After a vision, you can make quality assessment based on preliminary findings and determine if it's worth advanced research that requires the actual plan and objective. The plan stages involves leveraging professional relationships which is required in the implementation and review of the whole process. For instance, no matter your growth plan, if you're unable to secure financial/regional partners in your field, your plan is as good as dead. CEO's are not hired because they have advanced degrees, they are hired because of their networking/funding/management potential. There are many CFO's, COO's,CMO, and other C- Level execs that have advanced degrees than a CEO, but what sets apart a CEO may be because of his background/relationships.

Therefore, my submission is that one is a strategic planner and the other is an implementer/reviewer.

Bleep-xxxx is an implementer, he's only responsible for managing a niche: implementing and reviewing. He would make a good candidate for director/Unit Chief or Chief Agric Officer, etc but he isn't a strong candidate for a CEO job. This isn't that he isn't fit, BUT he isn't a strong candidate.




yyy-yyyy is a planner who has leveraged business/professional relationships that may prove useful when needed. The fact he consulted for an international organization makes a difference. Also, he oversees the project as an "officer" rather than just a phase/portion of the project proves that he has not only professional but management skills which is beyond professional research.



I would hire yyyy for the reasons outlined above.

In essence, xxxx is a specialist/technical expert, while yyyy is a generalist. Gneralists are typical of higher outlook than specialists.

Master degree?
That tells me they have too much time to waste.
None.
Oyinbo wey go do master after first degree , na him employers send

oduastates:
Master degree?

Oyinbo wey go do master after first degree , na him employers send

Big fat lie. May be in your own Oyibo land. In America nobody send you to do MSc; you are on your own (oyo), and there are 100s of them with MSc, oyo.

No more takers?