Glamour, glitz endued with grace flowed as the seasoned administrator and Business Management Expert, Stephen Lazi Akhere bagged Professor of Political Economy from Castle Park University, State of Missouri, USA.
The story of Professor Stephen Lazi is indeed an interesting one and laced with adventures right from an early age. The takeaway from his trajectory is that of sheer determination, dedication and patriotism. For those that knew the vibrant professor, they constantly testify to his unflinching love for education.
Looking at his academic trajectory, his ability to foster collaboration, encourage innovative dialogue and finding common ground will be instrumental in shaping thoughtful and impactful policies for the betterment of Nigeria’s political and economic sector.
Looking at the antecedent of Professor Stephen, he is not just a leader; he is a guiding light, illuminating the path of countless individuals who have had the privilege to cross his path. His wisdom, depth and finesse have cultivated a community that thrives on the principles of humility, hard work and self-discovery.
Why Nigeria needs leaders who understand economics? Nigeria of today needs leaders like Professor Stephen Lazi who understands economics and how economies work to double output in production. Unemployment and poverty, among others, need leaders who have an understanding of economics to tackle.
We live in the age of knowledge capital and knowledge is more valuable than any mineral resources. The struggle over these resources is distracting Nigeria from focusing on what matters with production.
No country has become wealthy from revenues; countries become wealthy from production. Nigeria needs leaders with a clear strategy on how to get the country to begin to function in productivity, and this could be done by focusing development on the endowment available.
Newsway Media gathered that Professor Stephen believes in the power of ideas, innovation, change and transformation; the values of hard work, merit, achievement, quality and results; the virtues of openness, transparency, accountability, honour and integrity; the leadership style of teamwork and inclusiveness; and the provision of opportunities, spaces and avenues for younger colleagues to excel and deliver on results, while providing guidance, inspiration and motivation.
Stephen is an accomplished Operations and Administrative Director with two decades of extensive experience in the international political economy and the oil and gas industry. His career is marked by a consistent track record of reducing costs and improving return on investment (ROI) through strategic operations improvements. He has highly developed conflict resolution and mediation skills, adeptly working with both public and private officials across various functions to meet and exceed organizational goals.
Stephen is a multicultural team leader with proven abilities to interface smoothly with people from diverse backgrounds. His communication and research capabilities are well-established, complemented by a robust academic background.
Highlights of Expertise: Oil & Gas Industry; Political Economy; Public Administration; Human Resources Information System; Office Management; Data Management; Regulatory Compliance; Process Improvements; Staff Supervision and Training; and Leadership Career Experience.
Professor Stephen began his public service career with Voice of Nigeria (VON) as an Administrative Officer from 2000 to 2004. He then transitioned to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), now known as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), where he has worked from 2004 to present.
His tenure at PPPRA/NMDPRA involved progressively responsible leadership roles, culminating in managing zonal offices with oversight of over 80 jetties, refineries and depots across six states within the South-South geopolitical zone.
In his current role as Senior Manager (Corporate Communication & Stakeholders Management), he leads the Protocol and Stakeholder Division and the Publications, Document and Library Division. His responsibilities include overseeing public affairs, stakeholder relations and protocol matters.
Educational background: Professor Stephen holds a PhD in Political Economy from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria; an MSc in Oil and Gas Management from the University of Management and Technology (ESGT), Republic of Benin; an MSc in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Abuja, Nigeria; an MBA in Business Administration (Human Resources) from Kensington Business School, Delaware, USA; a PhD in Oil and Gas Management from IIC University of Technology, Cambodia; a BSc in Business Administration from the University of Benin, Nigeria; and a Post-Doctorate Degree in Management from Atlantic International University, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Furthermore, Stephen holds numerous professional certifications and fellowships across economics, administration, finance, environmental management, leadership and public administration.
Stephen is also a prolific author with numerous publications to his name, including Darkness Amidst Light in Africa, An Overview of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, and Managing the Activities of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry. His research work has been featured in reputable journals, further solidifying his status as a thought leader.
This professorial feature will further reinforce his commitment to excellence and his role as a thought leader in shaping the future of Nigeria’s political economy.
