Bell Ihua

University of Kent (PhD) He is a seasoned social researcher, public opinion pollster, survey expert, management consultant, and adjunct professor. Dr. Ihua is involved in the general management of the Institute's day-to-day operations. Prior to joining API, he was CEO of Nigeria's premier opinion polling company, NOI Polls Limited. He also served as Principal Consultant at DBI Analytics Consulting; and currently serves on the Boards of SMYLE Africa Group and Dumena Code Academy.
Education and background
Ihua was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, where he had his early years of education up to senior secondary school. He later moved to the capital of Nigeria, Abuja, to further his education as an Accounting major at the University of Abuja, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Accounting, with honours. While on campus, Bell was actively involved with a number of associations and the students Union movement; holding positions such as: Financial Secretary of the Students Union Government (SUG); Vice President and later Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian Universities Accounting Student Association (NUASA); Public Relations Officer and later Vice President of the National Union of Rivers and Bayelsa State Student (NURBSS).
He later left the shores of Nigeria for further studies in the United Kingdom, first to Birmingham, where he obtained an MSc in Business Management at Birmingham City University. During this period, he was mentored by Professor Temi Abimbola (now a Director at the African Development Bank Institute). After completing his master's degree, he joined Birmingham based consulting firm, Genesis Consulting, where he had a stint at consulting and international development, before moving over to Aberdeen in Scotland to further his studies at the Aberdeen Business School (ABS), Robert Gordon University; where he obtained a Master of Science while there he was chair of the university committee for the International Conference of Nigerian Students.
Career
Prior to joining API, Ihua was chief executive officer at NOIPolls in Abuja. Bell is an expert in SME Development.
He was made chief operating officer of the company on 1 May 2014, and appointed chief executive officer by the board of directors in September 2015.
In September 2017, Ihua was nominated by YNaija as one of the "most powerful young persons under the age of 40 who are getting things done in policy and research" in its #YNAIJAPOWERLIST2017 for policy and research.
Articles, conference papers, books and presentations
* Ihua, U. B., (2005). Fundamentals of Business Financial Management. Inkomp Systems Publishers, Lagos. .
* Ihua, U. B., (2005). Modern Strategic Management: A Fundamental Guide. Inkomp Systems Publishers, Lagos. .
* [http://www.inderscience.com/offer.php?id=48958 Ihua, U. B. and Siyanbola, T. O. (2012). Critical challenges limiting small business performance in Nigeria: an exploratory investigation. International Journal of Business and Globalisation. Vol 9(2) pp. 171-185.]
* Cacciolatti, L., Fearne, A., Ihua, U.B. and Yawson, D. (2012). Types, Sources and Frequency of Use of Formalised Marketing Information as a Catalyst of SME Growth. Journal of Strategic Management Education. 8(1) ISSN 1649-3877.
* [http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn1750-6204&volume5&issue3&articleid1947820&show=abstract Ihua, U. B., (2011). Entrepreneurial Implications of Nigeria’s Oil Industry Local Content Policy: Perceptions from the Niger Delta Region. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy. 5(3) pp].
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093516/http://www.epossociety.org/epoc2012/Papers/Awuzie_Mcdermott.pdf Ihua, U. B. (2010). Local Content Policy and SMEs Sector Promotion: The Nigerian Oil Industry Experience. International Journal of Business and Management. 5(5) pp. 3-13.]
* Ihua, U. B. (2009), SMEs Key Failure-Factors: A Comparison between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Journal of Social Science. 18(3) pp. 119-207.
* Ihua, U. B., Ajayi, C. And Eloji, K. N. (2009). Nigerian Content Policy in the Oil and Gas Industry: Implications for Small to Medium-Sized Oil-Service Companies. In Sigue, S. P. (2009), Repositioning African Business and Development for the 21st Century, Proceedings of the 10th International Academy of African Business and Development (IAABD) Conference in Uganda, pp 163 - 170.
*Cacciolatti, L., Donnelly, C., Fearne, A., Ihua, U., Yawson, D., Armstrong, G., and Simmons, G. (2009). Use of Supermarket Panel Data amongst Small to Medium-Sized Businesses in the Food Industry. Paper presented in Conference Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing (AM) Conference hosted in Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK.
*Ihua, U. B. (2008). An Exploration into the Use of Supermarket Loyalty Card Data in Small Food Companies in the UK. Poster presented at the 14th Academy of Marketing (AM) Conference, hosted in Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Scotland, UK, May 12 -15th 2008.
*Ihua, U. B. (2008). Knowledge Management in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises: How does the Management of Consumer Information Impact on Organisational Effectiveness. Paper presented at the 17th EDAMBA Summer Academic Conference, Soréze-France, July.
*Ihua, U. B. (2007). Comparative Study on Factors Influencing SMEs Failure between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Paper presented at the 12th Entrepreneurial Marketing and Small Business SIG in Academy of Marketing Conference Birmingham, UK, January.
*Ihua, B. (2011). Strategic, Tactical and Operational Planning in SMEs. Presentation at CTV Foundation Seminar: Women - Building and Sustaining Entrepreneurial Spirit, London UK. February 2011.
*Ihua, B. and Siyanbola, W. (2010). Youth Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: “Brain Gain” from the Diaspora. Presentation at the International Conference of Nigerian Students (ICONS). Hosted at University of Kent, Canterbury UK. April 2010.
*Ihua, B. (2010). SMEs in Africa and Knowledge Management.
*Ihua, B. (2008). Growing Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Africa: A Knowledge Management Approach.
*Ihua, B. (2008). SMEs Sector Development under the Obasanjo Administration (May 1999 - May 2003): Blessing or Curse. Presentation at the International Conference of Nigerian Students (ICONS) University of Hull.
*Ihua, B. (2007). National Economic Reforms in Nigeria: Did the SMEs Sector Benefit?
*Ihua, B. (2007). ABCs of Knowledge Management for Micro and Small Businesses in Africa, Business Connect. News Letter Published by the Abuja Enterprise Agency, Nigeria.
*Ihua, B. (2007). Promoting SMEs Sector Development in Africa: Lessons from the “El-Rufai - Abuja Enterprise Agency” Model.
*Ihua, B. (2007). Tribute to a Living Legend: Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh.

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