From the Prairies to the City of Discovery: my journey in business and innovation

Hello! My name is Daniel Afe. I am originally from Nigeria, but Saskatchewan, Canada, is home to me. I have a BSc in Business Economics and am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and International Business at the University of Dundee.

Business has always been a big part of my life. I come from an entrepreneurial family, so I grew up seeing the highs and lows of building something from scratch. However, my real passion for business developed when I worked as a policy analyst for three years. I had the opportunity to work closely with entrepreneurs, listening to their challenges and seeing firsthand what it takes to turn ideas into successful businesses. That experience made me realise that not only did I want to work for businesses, but I also wanted to build one myself. But I wanted to think bigger, beyond just national markets. Thats what led me to Dundee.

I have always told myself that it is either easy now and hard later or hard now and easy later. The way I see it, investing in learning, gaining experience, and pushing myself now will make things easier when it is time to build something big. That is why I decided to continue my academic journey. When I started looking at programmes, I knew I wanted something beyond traditional business studies or an MBA, something aligned with my passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. My current program does that perfectly, focusing on innovation and global business strategy, which is exactly what I need to take my ideas to a global scale.

One of the things I love most about studying here is how much the university encourages entrepreneurship. For example, they have a whole week dedicated to entrepreneurship! That is something you don’t find everywhere, even at top universities. I took advantage of the support available and was fortunate to be part of the Venture 2025 finalists, where I got to pitch my business idea and receive priceless feedback. Not only was it a great learning experience, but I also won £1,000 for my business. Opportunities like that make a real difference for students looking to start something of their own. The classes have also been great, with discussions that challenge the way I think and group projects that push me to apply what I am learning in real time.

After graduation, I want to gain experience working for a multinational corporation while also working on my own business. The goal is to build something impactful and take it global.

For students considering this specific programme or the School of Business, I say go for it! And when you do, embrace every opportunity, connect with people, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. The University of Dundee has been an amazing place to grow, and I know it is preparing me for whatever comes next.