A renowned academic and Founder of India’s Shanti Business School, Dr. Vrajal Sapovadia, has joined the American University of Nigeria as an Assistant Dean in the School of Business & Entrepreneurship with effect from spring 2015 semester.
Dr. Sapovadia, who was introduced to the AUN community at the spring 2015 orientation for new students and parents in January, has also advocated family business and small and medium enterprise as having potential to increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product. The author of eight books and more than 90 articles, his research in family business and corporate governance has influenced state policies and hass been a major contributor to India’s GDP. He presented a lecture at the Atiku Center lecture series towards the close of last semester on the topic “Strengthening Nigerian Family Business to Promote Socio-Economic Development”.
“We are so fortunate to be able to have a scholar of Dr. Sapovadia’s caliber as part of the AUN community. Dr. Sapovadia is internationally respected for his expertise in international business development. He is a fantastic addition to AUN’s already strong School of Business & Entrepreneurship and I am sure he will make his mark not only on our students, but in our nation and region,” AUN President Dr. Margee Ensign said.
Recently, Dr. Sapovadia was a keynote speaker at the International Cooperative Summit in Quebec, Canada, as well as a keynote speaker in several conferences hosted by the World Bank. He has also been a member of AUN’s online faculty, teaching undergraduate and MBA courses in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Though Dr. Sapovadia observed that family business can be informal or formal, he insists that it needs to move from informal to formal in order to succeed and also grow the GDP. The success of a family business stems from respect of family, and the mutual cost-benefit is shares equally.
He pinpointed understanding the customer and providing quality as key techniques of success for the family business. Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprise adds to the growing GDP, and Nigerian family businesses have grown over 25 percent since 2013. Family businesses and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute more than 50 percent to Nigeria’s GDP.
Dr. Sapovadia noted that Adamawa and Jigawa states have an immense potential for economic growth if government fosters SMEs. He listed businesses such as “mining, refinery, filling stations, kerosene and gas agency, construction and real estate, technical training centers, sewing special uniforms for the army, security, and schools, and day care centers” as open investment opportunities for SMEs.