Israel Thomas
- Programme: One-year MBA
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Job Pre-programme: Strategy Manager, Dangote Industries Limited
Israel built his early career across finance and strategy, while also co-founding a youth-focused foundation to support young individuals with career planning resources and mentorship. Keen to take his impact to a global stage, he came to London Business School to sharpen his strategic thinking and broaden his perspective. At LBS, Israel is doing just that—drawing on a diverse, international community to expand how he thinks, works, and leads.
“I love how much London brings together in one place. There’s something energising about living in a city that constantly exposes you to new ideas, cultures and possibilities.”
What did your CV look like before London Business School?
I studied economics in Nigeria before starting my career in financial consulting at PwC. From there, I moved into finance, taking on FP&A roles at an indigenous energy company and then at a multinational consumer goods company overseeing 15+ markets.
Over time, I became more interested in the strategic side of the work, thinking about how businesses create value and how financial insights can support better decision-making. That led me to move into a strategy role at Dangote, where I spent three years working on strategy development, performance and project management across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through that experience, and by being exposed to more global perspectives, I realised I wanted to take that further and operate at an international level. That’s what led me to the MBA.
Alongside my professional work, I’ve also stayed committed to social impact, co-founding a youth-focused foundation in Nigeria that mentors high school students and provide career planning resources to help them optimise their potential.
What were you hoping to gain from the programme when you joined, and how is that shaping your experience so far?
When I joined London Business School, I was looking for three main things: a genuinely global perspective, a stronger strategic toolkit, and a community that would really stretch how I think. So far, the experience has delivered on all three.
In areas like marketing or product development, for example, I’m learning a lot from my peers and what works in their markets. It makes me reflect on my own country and continent, and whether there’s an opportunity to introduce new ideas or approaches.
At the same time, I’m building the skillset I came for, while also developing a strong network. From a strategy perspective, a lot of what I’m learning in the classroom, particularly around execution, business turnaround and people management, is directly relevant to the kind of roles I want to pursue after the MBA.
“Your classmates and alumni shape your experience just as much as the formal curriculum.”
What are your top three tips for prospective students considering London Business School?
First, learn to manage the inevitable FOMO. There’s so much happening at London Business School, and you can’t do everything, so it’s important to focus on the events and activities that genuinely matter to you. At the same time, it helps to stay open and leave enough room for the unexpected. Some of the most valuable parts of the experience come from unexpected conversations or opportunities you didn’t plan for.
Second, lean into the people. Your classmates and alumni shape your experience just as much as the formal curriculum. Take the time to build those relationships and tap into the network, because you learn a great deal from them. For me, that has come mostly from their approach to problem-solving, cultural perspectives and industry knowledge.
Third, get involved in the community. Clubs like the Social Impact Club give you the chance to visit organisations and learn more about areas like impact investing and sustainability-focused consulting, while also connecting with people who share similar interest. Through the Africa Business Club, I’ve taken this a step further by helping to organise an event aimed at increasing African representation on campus, offering prospective students practical tips and insights. I’m proud that the event attracted over 50 attendees.
What’s your fondest memory of living in London so far?
I love how much London brings together in one place. There’s something energising about living in a city that constantly exposes you to new ideas, cultures and possibilities.
If I had to narrow it down, I’d probably say my first time spending the festive season here. Being in Hyde Park and seeing the sky lit up at night was a standout moment. It’s quite different from how we celebrate back home, but that’s what made it so memorable.
