Moses Owulo is a graduate of the Department of Economics at the University of Ibadan, who has ventured into social selling for a marketing agency, while also honing his skills as a product designer. Hailing from Benue State and part of a family of four, Moses’ passion for economics grew out of an early fascination with banking. In this interview, Moses reflects on his academic journey, the challenges he encountered, and how his education shaped his career aspirations. Excerpts
Please provide Edugist with a brief introduction about yourself and your background.
My name is Moses Owulo, a graduate of the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan. I work as a social seller for a marketing agency and I am also a product designer. I hail from Benue state, and I am from a family of 4.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in Economics?
Growing up, I wanted to work in the bank, While I was young, I visited the bank couple of times and I liked how the cashier were all well dressed and looking sharp, I wanted to be like them, that’s what inspired me to join the commercial department, moving on I soon realized that banking and finance were a very streamlined course with fewer opportunities for diversification, or so I thought at the time. I asked around and learnt that I could also study accounting and work in the bank or become an accountant or something of sort. I then set my mind to study accounting, like most of my colleagues in the department of economics. I wanted to study accounting, but I found out that UI didn’t have accounting then (they do now though); they only had economics, and it was UI or nothing, I looked economics up and realised that it’s actually a good course and, in my opinion, an even better one.
Can you describe your undergraduate experience?
I would say adventurous, with each level having an entirely different experience of its own. In the early stages, particularly in 100 Level, I had to adapt quickly to the new environment and the demands of university life. The transition from secondary school to a university setting was a significant adjustment, especially in terms of managing my time and developing effective study habits. As I progressed through the years, I found myself becoming more comfortable and confident in my abilities.
Then come 300L, where we have a marginal increase of departmental courses from 2/3 per semester to 9 per semester. It felt like a whole new department with the introduction of new core economics courses. The transition was quite challenging for me and most people in the faculty, but with time everyone learnt to adapt to the situation.
“Final year is for flexing” is a big lie , final year isn’t for flexing, especially when you realise that after that year there’s no fighting chance again; you have to put in all you can. One easy thing about the final year is that you are already very familiar with the system, so you can easily navigate around.
It was in my final year that I and my friends came together to form a reading group called All or Nothing, and it was very very helpful, and instrumental in my final days. I can’t talk about my undergraduate experience without mentioning my closest friends in the school; we call ourselves the four wise men, they added a whole new glamour to my experience as an undergraduate, pushing each other to the limit at all times, first class or nothing.
Were there any courses that you found especially difficult?
No, not really. Although there was an exam I found difficult, I pretty much love calculation exams because there’ll always be a way, regardless, but this particular course had numbers in them and I absolutely didn’t know what to do with them, thank God I didn’t carry the course over, also there was another course, everything else came out in the exam except what I was ready for the course, thank God for residual knowledge and sessions with my reading group, I was able to pen something down, apart from those courses, other courses were quite interesting and understandable if you really dedicate yourself to it.
Did you frequently use the library for studying?
Not very often; I mostly use it when I have long breaks between classes and I am not ready to return to my hotel quite yet.
What significant challenges did you face during your studies?
I think I would say in 100L, adapting to the new system, especially how to write and answer exam questions.
I didn’t know the dynamics of this in my 100L before my first exam. I answered the questions the way I knew how to, which was far from expectation, The result came as one of the first results we saw in UI; I had 45/100.
Thankfully, I learnt the “technical know-how” after that first exam.
Did you participate in any internships during your studies?
No
Did you receive any scholarships for your studies?
Yes, two, one from TotalEnergies and another from Federal Government Scholarship Board.
Do you plan to pursue any additional professional certifications in your field?
Definitely. I believe that continuous learning is crucial, especially in a field as dynamic as economics. I plan to pursue certifications that will deepen my understanding of specialised areas such as financial analysis, data analytics, and economic modelling .
In what ways do you think your interdisciplinary background sets you apart from other professionals?
Economics, they say, is the queen of social science, cutting across different fields, including finance and accounting, the discipline provides and equips one with enough idea to easily delve into any related field. Also, economics being grounded in mathematical and analytical methods enables and opens its students to quick and critical thinking
Has any lecturer contributed to your ease of navigating your academics?
Yes, on this, I would mention all the lectures that have ever taught me in my undergraduate years. Also, I would like to mention my project supervisor, Professor Adewuyi, Although it seemed hard initially, it was for the best, his supervision equipped me with basic knowledge of project/research writing.
Do you have any role model you admire?
At the moment, I don’t have a specific role model that I look up to exclusively. However, I draw inspiration from various individuals across different fields who have excelled in their careers and made significant contributions to society. I admire those who have shown resilience, innovation, and a commitment to making a positive impact, whether in academia, business, or public service. These are qualities I strive to emulate as I continue to develop my career.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
In the long term, I aspire to build a career that allows me to influence economic policies and decisions at a national and international level. My goal is to gain extensive experience in financial institutions, where I can contribute to the development of strategies that promote economic stability and growth. I also envision myself playing a role in academia, where I can conduct research that addresses key economic challenges and contribute to the education of future economists. Ultimately, I hope to be in a position where I can make informed decisions that have a positive impact on both the economy and society as a whole..
How do you plan to apply your knowledge to address real-world challenges?
I plan to start by applying economic principles to everyday life, helping individuals and businesses make better financial decisions. Economics is deeply embedded in our daily activities, from how we manage our personal finances to how governments allocate resources. By conducting research and staying informed on current economic trends, I hope to contribute solutions that address pressing economic issues, such as poverty, unemployment, and inflation. My goal is to work with financial institutions or think tanks where I can analyse economic data, provide insights, and develop policies that promote sustainable economic growth. Additionally, I am interested in using my knowledge to mentor and educate others, particularly first-generation students like myself, who might benefit from a deeper understanding of economics.
What are your plans following the completion of your bachelor’s degree?
My immediate plan is to pursue a Master’s degree in Economics, which will allow me to deepen my understanding of the field. Following my Master’s, I aim to continue on to a PhD, with the goal of contributing original research that addresses key economic challenges. In parallel, I plan to gain practical experience through internships or entry-level positions in financial institutions or policy organisations.
