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From boardrooms to cricket pitches, from auditing oil majors to shaping public financial management, few combine such depth of experience with practical courage to drive change. As Executive in Residence at Miva Open University, Prof. Uyi Akpata brings a rare blend of corporate leadership, governance expertise, and real-world mentorship into the classroom.
In This Post
Where It Started
Prof. Uyi Akpata, FCA, graduated from the University of Lagos in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Two years later, he became an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and later earned Fellowship status. These early milestones built the foundation for his enduring influence in accounting, governance, and business leadership.
His academic journey was more than a pursuit of credentials; it shaped the way he thinks, analyses, and leads. It instilled the precision, ethical rigour, and critical thinking that now define his professional and teaching philosophy.
Professional Journey and Achievements
Prof. Akpata’s professional journey began in October 1984, when he joined Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC Nigeria). By 1992, he had risen to become a Partner, an achievement that reflected both his expertise and his leadership strength.
Throughout his years at PwC, he led audit and advisory engagements for global oil and gas clients such as Chevron and ExxonMobil, applying analytical insight to high-impact business decisions. Between 2008 and 2012, he chaired the Governance Board of PwC Africa Central Firms, later heading the firm’s Oil & Gas division for Africa. In 2014, he became Country Senior Partner for PwC Nigeria and Regional Senior Partner for the West Market Area, overseeing the firm’s growth, governance initiatives, and technological innovation in the region.
Under his leadership, PwC Nigeria launched its Experience Centre in Lagos, a hub for digital innovation and design thinking. After an accomplished corporate career, he transitioned into advisory and governance consulting, founding Rusa Advisory in 2024 to focus on sustainability, risk management, and strategic transformation.
Beyond corporate success, Prof. Akpata is also a national sports leader. He serves as the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, having been re-elected in 2025, and continues to drive sports development and youth engagement across Nigeria.
Every stage of his career has sharpened his ability to navigate complexity, solve problems, and lead with integrity, qualities he now brings to MPA students at Miva Open University.
Beyond the Profession
Beyond the boardroom, Prof. Akpata is deeply passionate about sports and community development. A lifelong sportsman, he once served as Golf Captain at Ikoyi Club 1938 and continues to champion cricket as a tool for youth empowerment and ethics education.
Together with his wife, Obosa, he co-founded the Promoting Ethics Through Sports (PETS) Foundation, which funds cricket programmes and scholarships for young learners in Edo State. His work through PETS reflects a leadership philosophy built on mentorship, discipline, and teamwork, values that also guide his professional and academic life.
Prof. Akpata’s interests mirror his professional strengths: resilience, strategic thinking, and a global yet people-centred mindset.
His Role at Miva Open University
At Miva Open University, Prof. Uyi Akpata serves as a member of the Board of Trustees, Professor of Practice for Accounting and Business Analytics, and Executive in Residence for the course MPA 8107: Public Financial Management.
In this role, he is not just a lecturer; he is a mentor and strategist, helping students connect financial theory to the realities of governance, policy, and ethical leadership. Drawing from decades of experience in audit, public sector reform, and business advisory, he offers students a front-row view into how financial management truly works within government systems and corporate institutions.
His classes are grounded in lived experience, from managing billion-naira budgets to advising public officials on fiscal transparency and accountability. Students don’t just learn frameworks; they learn how to apply them with clarity and confidence in the real world.
Why Learning from Prof. Uyi Akpata Matters
For aspiring leaders in public administration, policy, consulting, or governance, studying under Prof. Uyi Akpata is an opportunity to learn directly from someone who has worked at the intersection of finance, ethics, and leadership.
His mentorship helps students:
- Translate academic knowledge into practical decision-making;
- Understand how financial management drives public accountability;
- Develop a global perspective while staying grounded in African realities; and
- Build leadership confidence to navigate real-world challenges.
Through his teaching, students learn that managing public finance isn’t just about numbers; it’s about trust, integrity, and impact.
Learn from a Luminary at Miva
If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of public financial management and learn from one of Nigeria’s most respected corporate and governance leaders, apply to study the Miva MPA today.
Under Prof. Uyi Akpata’s guidance, you’ll gain the knowledge, perspective, and ethical foundation to lead with confidence, wherever your career takes you.
Apply now and learn from a luminary who turns learning into leadership.
