Accomplished Nigerian Professionals receive Honorary Doctorates at US MIMPS-Prowess University ceremony

By: Kolawole Abe.

The MSME Institute of Management and Professional Studies (MIMPS), in partnership with the Prowess University, Delaware, USA, on September 13, 2025, conferred Honorary Doctorate Degrees on two Nigerians for their significant contributions to their respective fields.

The event, which held at ICT Centre, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State attracted dignitaries across the academia and industry.

Professor John A. Undie, FMIMPS, professor of Educational Administration & Planning, University of Calabar presented a lecture on Tackling Insecurity and Unemployment in Nigeria: Strategies for Sustainable National Security and Economic Empowerment. The varsity don emphasized the importance of economic empowerment in the fight against insecurity in the nation stressing that an idle hand remains a tool in the devil’s hand.

MSME Institute of Management and Professional Studies (MIMPS) is a Professional Management training Institute registered in Nigeria and limited by Guarantee under the protocol of the Federal Republic of Nigeria companies and Allied Matters Acts, with registration number 1936890, recognized by the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria and accredited by national and international accrediting bodies whose cardinal objective is to promote good governance and poverty eradication by instilling professionalism in MSME practices, Sciences and Office Technology.

MSME Institute of Management and Professional Studies is an institutional partner of Prowess University, Delaware, USA.

According to the Registrar, MIMPS, Dr. Alphonsus Okeoma, the event of the day was a product of rigorous selection process. “The institute followed through her laid down procedure for recognition of experts with significant contributions in the Nigerian economy.

About two hundred professionals were initially nominated based on their probative impacts in their field for this honor. The list was later shortlisted to one hundred, then 50 and first ten top experts.

The council of MSME Institute of Management and Professional Studies (MIMPS), received ten nominated candidates and based on set criteria for judging impact in the field, picked the best two candidates for the award”- Dr. Alphonsus Okeoma.

Dr Akeem Akintoye Amusa, ANIMN, FCP, FAIMFIN FIMPS, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Digital financial technology (honoris causa). Dr Amusa is currently the Product and Finance Manager, Prosoft Multi-system Nigeria Limited.

He is a chartered Economist with well over two decades of experience in the Nigerian financial sector, former Regional Control Manager, Heritage Bank Plc (2015-2024) among other leadership positions in other Nigerian banks including Enterprise Bank Limited (2011-2013); Spring Bank Plc, Nigeria (2006-2011) and Trans International Bank of Nigeria PLC (2002-2006). A financial economist, Dr Amusa has established reputation in the application of digital information technology in the finance industry.

His contributions have influenced SMEs growth and development in Nigeria, by enhancing the implementation of government’ policies in relation to the growth of SMEs in the country. Dr Amusa’s contributions to his field are well reported in major Nigerian media to include his financial-digital innovation that enhanced the operations of agriculture-based SMEs and his capacity building strides in the field of Economics and the finance industry at large.

He has been guest speaker and facilitator on several SMEs-related conferences and workshops. His field experience as an economist is on high demand and his co-authored textbook of economics has received widespread acceptance application in tertiary education and SMEs operations in Nigeria and beyond.

Also, the awardees include Dr Sepiribo Lucky Braide, fellow, Nigeria Society of Engineers, (FNSE). Dr Briade is an Associate professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Rivers State University.

An accomplished academic, administrator and engineer, Dr Briade is a former head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Rivers State University. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and has received many honours and recognition locally and internationally on Renewable energy, power system and operation as well as control system.

Dr Briade’s work in the field of electrical and electronics engineering has been presented in local and international conferences. A prolific author, Dr Briade has over 200 publications in reputable peer reviewed journals. Dr Briade continues to provide leadership in the Nigerian engineering profession.

MSME Institute of Management and Professional Studies (MIMPS) aspires to be the most preferred and largest professional body with specialty in MSMEs, professional education and certification globally. The institute has continued to produce and recognize focused professionals and entrepreneurial graduate with absolute professionalism through its code – Research Innovation, Creativity, Growth and Honesty (RICGH).