The Center for African Studies congratulates Nduka Mbadugha on his latest achievements as he graduates from the UF’s College of Communications and Journalism with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a minor in History. This fall, Nduka will take an exciting step onto the global stage as he begins his internship with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, Switzerland. With a passion for economics, history, writing, sports, and geopolitics, Nduka is committed to making a positive impact on global development. We are proud to celebrate his accomplishments and look forward to seeing the difference he will make in the world.
We spoke with Nduka about his experiences at UF, what inspired him to pursue global development work, and what he’s most looking forward to as he steps into this exciting new opportunity.
-
Congratulations on being accepted into the UNCTAD Internship Program! How did you feel when you found out?
I was honestly elated to find out I was an UNCTAD intern. I love studying colonialism, history, economics, and politics, so to be able to help third-world countries develop was huge for me.
-
What does this opportunity mean to you personally and professionally?
Professionally, being able to work for an organization I am passionate about is huge and it means a lot to me. In a personal sense, my grandpa was a Nigerian nationalist who helped found the country in 1963. He was a vocal proponent of developing African industry. I am glad I get to continue in his footsteps, even though they are massive shoes to fill!
-
Can you tell us a bit about your academic background and what drew you to apply for this internship?
I am a Public Relations major with a minor in History. I applied for this internship because it was a blend of my educational background and my passion for global political economy.
-
You’ve written on African politics, economics, and geopolitics. How has that experience shaped your interest in global development and prepared you for your upcoming internship with UNCTAD?
I began writing due to my interest in historical economics, specifically colonization and the development of capitalism globally. I was always intrigued by the African continent because it is underexplored in academia. The two countries that started my research were Nigeria and then Abyssinia (Ethiopia and Eritrea). My mission statement on my application was about the Nigerian Civil War, my admiration for sustainable development in the Global South, and my reading of MUNUC.
Article: The Development of the Sahel States https://medium.com/@ndukambadugha/the-sahel-revolution-cc1ef096a3c0
-
Was there a specific course, project, or experience at UF that prepared you for this moment?
There were several courses that led me to this path. I switched to a history minor at the beginning of my third year. I took AMH3931 and Dr. Benjamin Wise and his TA, Mr. Alexey Kotelvas, told me that my views on history are extremely sophisticated. I then took Dr. Phillip Janzen’s class and enjoyed it massively. I performed at UF ASU’s Mr. ASU pageant and I was told that my presentation about Nigeria’s economy was interesting. Beata, Ophilea, Tatiana, and the UF ASU members helped me the most in preparing. This gave me a lot of motivation, so I began to reach out to you (Mrs. Clarke, Dr. Leslie, Dr. Odutola, Dr. Muchira, Dr. Essegbey, and Dr. Lugano) to write articles and you all graciously helped me. Finally, Dr. Dagher helped me by giving me a referral as a former UN employee.
-
What was the application process like, and what do you think helped you stand out?
The application process had a question phase, where I answered onboarding questions. I was then contacted for an interview virtually and then asked questions about my ability to perform the internship logistically. These are things like cost, past experience with computer software programs, and writing ability.
-
What are you most looking forward to during your time at UNCTAD?
I am most looking forward to visiting Switzerland and going into the UN building. I am eager to meet people who are like-minded in solving world issues.
-
Are there particular issues or areas within trade and development that you’re excited to explore?
I am excited to explore parts of unequal exchange in the global economy, as well as learn more about South-South trade relations.
-
What do you hope to learn or gain from this experience—skills, perspectives, or professional connections?
I hope to gain more knowledge on the complexities of the struggles that global south countries face in the development of their economy. I want to gain a more positive worldview because I believe that the world can get better. I want to be the difference that justifies my positivity.
-
How do you think this internship will influence your career path or future goals?
This internship will hopefully lead me to get a career in the NGO or non-profit sector. I would also love to stay in the UN system if possible, and continue to make a difference.
-
What advice would you give to other students considering applying to UN internships or similar opportunities?
Get in contact with your professors and create your own opportunities. Obviously don’t harass your professors, but reach out to them about creating research projects, referrals for jobs, and actually build a relationship with your professors. They will help you if you reach out and develop a legitimate relationship with them.