Dr. S. E. Ifere

E. Ifere is a strategic management expert whose work focuses on organisational effectiveness, leadership, and business strategy in complex and evolving environments. With a distinguished career spanning both industry and academia, Dr. Ifere brings a unique blend of practical experience and scholarly insight to his work. Prior to entering academia, he spent twenty-five years working with multinational corporations, including Elf and TotalEnergies (formerly Total), where he gained extensive experience in corporate strategy, operations, and management within the oil and gas industry.

Since transitioning into academia, Dr. Ifere has continued to maintain strong links with industry through consultancy and executive training. He has undertaken consultancy engagements in operations and turnaround management for major organisations such as TotalEnergies, Oando Plc, and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN). In addition to his consulting work, he is actively involved in human resource training and development, facilitating executive training programmes for managers and senior leaders across various organisations. His work is driven by a commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice, and he continues to pursue research that equips practitioners with the knowledge and tools required to navigate an increasingly volatile and competitive global business environment.

Dr. Ifere currently serves as the Director of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Programme at the University of Lagos Business School, a role he has held since 2020. In this capacity, he oversees doctoral-level professional training aimed at developing high-level business leaders and executives. He previously served as the Pioneer Coordinator of the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) Programme at the same institution between 2018 and 2022. His leadership contributions within the University of Lagos extend to university governance and academic development. He has served as a Member of the School of Postgraduate Studies Board (2019–2022 and 2024 to date) and remains a Member of the University of Lagos Business School Academic Board.

Beyond the university environment, Dr. Ifere contributes to corporate and institutional governance. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited and is also a Member of the Governing Council of Maranatha University. His professional achievements have earned him recognition within the management profession, including his induction as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) in May 2017. In addition, he served as a Guest Editor for the journal Strategic Change in 2022, further demonstrating his active engagement with global academic discourse.

Dr. Ifere is also a prolific researcher whose work contributes significantly to the fields of strategic management, entrepreneurship, and industry transformation. His publications explore themes such as innovation and competitiveness in the deregulated oil and gas sector, infrastructure deficits in Africa’s integration into global networks, human resource management practices in emerging markets, and entrepreneurial learning from business failures. His recent scholarly contributions include studies published in journals such as Unilag Journal of Business, Strategic Change, Advances in Management, and the British Journal of Management. These works reflect his ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge that addresses real-world business challenges, particularly within emerging and developing economies.

Dr. Ifere’s academic and research activities are supported by a strong network of international collaborations. He works closely with scholars such as Joseph Amankwah-Amoah of Durham University Business School, Richard Nyuur of University of Bradford, and Raphael Oseghale of University of Hertfordshire, among others. Through these collaborations, he contributes to global conversations on business strategy, innovation, and organisational development.

Overall, Dr. Ifere’s career reflects a rare integration of industry expertise, academic leadership, and impactful research. Through his teaching, consultancy, and scholarship, he continues to influence both practitioners and scholars while contributing to the advancement of strategic management and organisational effectiveness in Nigeria and beyond.