Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has shared insights into his unconventional career path, describing it as a journey driven more by passion than conformity.
Moghalu, who declared his ambition at age 13 to work in the United Nations, recounted how his early “dreamer” choice eventually led to a 17-year career in the UN system. Unlike many of his contemporaries who pursued law, business, or the Nigerian Customs Service, he charted a different course.
“After my UN career, I left not for government, as was common practice, but into entrepreneurship, founding a global risk advisory firm in Geneva. My mother thought I was taking too much risk,” Moghalu disclosed.
That bold step, however, paved the way for his appointment as CBN Deputy Governor. On completing his five-year tenure, he turned down offers from global financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, opting instead to pursue academia. He became Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, where he had earned his master’s degree.
Not one to tread predictable paths, Moghalu later ran for Nigeria’s presidency in 2019. Afterwards, he returned to teaching, consulting, and eventually took on the role of Vice-Chancellor at an international university.
Reflecting on his choices, Moghalu noted: “While I admire friends who stuck to one career for 30-35 years and retired peacefully, my deepest passions have been fulfilled by the uneven, sometimes jagged path I have followed. Our paths in life, led by our inner compass, are unquestionably unique to each one of us.”
Moghalu’s reflections highlight the importance of pursuing purpose over convention, underscoring his lifelong commitment to redefining career success beyond traditional boundaries.
