To better understand the economic and policy direction of Nigeria’s newly sworn-in government, the HBS Association of Nigeria hosted a hybrid program on December 14 featuring Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

The 3-hour event, titled “The Reform of Nigeria’s Tax System: An Evening with Taiwo Oyedele & End-of-Year Cocktails” attracted 63 alumni to the Capital Club in Lagos, while another 25 alumni tuned in virtually. The evening featured Oyedele’s presentation with slides and a lively Q&A session, as well as networking and drinks for in-person guests.

The association’s president, Collins Onuegbu (OPM 40, 2010), and programs secretary, Dr. Blessing Ayemhere (AMP 195, 2018), organized the event to give members deeper insights into the work of the government committee.

Oyedele shared details on the Nigerian government’s proposed harmonization of taxes and levies to reduce multiple taxation and control government spending, proposed reviews of tax laws and of the constitution, and stakeholder and citizen engagement in helping to shape these fiscal policies.

“We hope our members will take the learnings from the presentation to make sound and informed business decisions,” says Onuegbu. “At the same time, we hope to engage the committee by providing recommendations and feedback where necessary.”

He adds that the event was extensively covered in Nigeria’s national press, including the two leading TV stations. “It was a timely discussion, giving focus and clarity to our government’s direction. Our members applauded.”

The HBS Association of Taipei held its annual “End of the Year Dinner” on December 21, featuring special guest speaker Charles C. Y. Wang, Tandon Family Professor of Business Administration at HBS, who shared his latest research with 15 alumni in a casual dinner and conversation.

Association president Joey Chung (MBA 2009) co-organized the dinner with alumni volunteer Mark Lin (MBA 2010) after learning that Wang would be in town. “It was just a chance for everyone to get to know each other and introduce what they were doing. The professor introduced his research focus, and recommended that we reach out to him if we had any interest or materials that might be connected. After that we had a casual chat about different topics. It was very lively, and everyone was very friendly and energetic.”

Wang’s HBS research and teaching focus is corporate governance and valuation, and he serves as course head of Financial Reporting and Control in the MBA core curriculum. He is also a research member of the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI), and an associate editor of Management Science and the Journal of Accounting Research.

Chung says that because Wang is the first HBS professor from Taiwan to receive tenure, his background and experience was of great interest to the crowd. “And it was nice to have this official connection to the School around the holidays.”

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