Daniel Obasi ’27
MBA
Student Ambassador
Program
MBA
Hometown
Aba, Nigeria
Citizenship
Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution and Major
Adekunle Ajasin University - Mathematics
Master's Institution and Major
University of Ibadan - Medicine and Surgery
Pre-MBA Industry
Clinical Strategy Manager, Zolon Healthcare Ltd; Founder and CEO - Gregmat Educational Consult Ltd.
Internship Organization
Asset Management, Handal Dunway Inc.; RedefinED Atlanta, DC360 Summer Fellowship
Clubs and Affiliations
Black Business Alliance, International Student Affairs Lead; First-Generation, Low-Income Club (FLI); Out Of Office; Africa Business and Society Club, Vice President for Finance; ROMBA
What surprised you the most about being an MBA student?
Before coming to Yale, I spent years helping students navigate one of the most consequential decisions of their lives: where and how to pursue their education. As an educational consultant in Nigeria, I worked closely with schools and educational institutions while supporting over 1200 students applying to universities across the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Australia. My role went beyond the application process. I helped students think deeply about why they were pursuing higher education abroad, clarify their goals and ambitions, and make decisions that aligned with who they are and what they want; from school and program selection through to positioning themselves effectively. I also supported their transition end-to-end, including financing, visas, accommodation, and settling into new environments, while connecting them with the right people: fellow Africans in those institutions, as well as professors and institutional partners. Through this work, I saw firsthand how access to the right information, and more importantly, the right people, can completely change someone’s trajectory. That perspective carried directly into how I approached my own MBA journey. Having spent years guiding others through similar process, I understood how much of it depends on access: who you speak to, how honest those conversations are, and how clearly you can see yourself in a place. I was fortunate to receive admission and significant scholarship support across several top programs, but I evaluated each option through a different lens: not just reputation, but people. When I spoke with SOM students, there was a level of honesty, warmth, and thoughtfulness that stood out immediately. They weren’t trying to impress me; they were trying to help me make the right decision. That clarity is what brought me to Yale, and it’s exactly what I’ve experienced since arriving. Because of that, I’ve naturally found myself paying it forward. Even before matriculating, I was supporting my colleagues, especially from Africa, helping them navigate the process, sharing context, and making introductions. Since arriving, that has expanded beyond my immediate circles. I’ve continued to serve as an informal admissions guide for prospective students, taking time to answer detailed, often nuanced questions with honesty and care. I share my experiences candidly: what SOM does exceptionally well, where it challenges you, and why the community here is distinct. For many, especially those without direct access to current students, this helps demystify the program and allows them to see themselves here with clarity and confidence. Serving as a Student Ambassador feels like a natural extension of that work, being a first point of contact and helping prospective students experience the same clarity and confidence I felt when choosing Yale. The Student Interviewer role appeals to me for a different but complementary reason: it’s an opportunity to contribute directly to the integrity of the admissions process, evaluating candidates thoughtfully and representing SOM with fairness and care. At its core, this is work I care deeply about. I’ve seen firsthand how the right guidance at the right moment can change lives, and I take seriously the responsibility of being part of that process.
Contact Information
Personal Interests...
Gym, cycling, and hiking to stay active; cooking to unwind; chess to stay sharp; and dogs because they make everything better
