The Nigerian Chapter of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) hosted its first annual National Business Analysis Conference (BACONF) in November 2011.
BACONF is the first business analysis event in West Africa promoting the professional practice of business analysis. South Africa was represented at the conference by Steve Erlank, who spoke in his capacity of President of the South African Chapter of the IIBA.
Erlank was instrumental in helping and supporting the IIBA Nigeria Chapter in the initial phase of its start-up.
Delegates who attended the IIBA Nigeria Chapter's National Business Analysis Conference heard the latest developments within the fast evolving profession of business analysis. The conference was themed: “Growing Internal Capacity for Global Competitiveness” and aimed to capture Nigeria's aspiration of becoming one of the world's 20 biggest economies by the year 2020, aided by business analysis competencies.
Steve Erlank, who is also Managing Director of Faculty Training Institute (FTI), was invited to speak at the inaugural conference. His keynote addressed audiences on the practical steps that can be taken to grow business analysis competencies and Communities of Practice (COPs) within organisations.
Business analysis is of strategic importance to the Nigerian economy, and the conference drew leading government agencies and industry experts from both private and public sectors. It is a professional practice that has grown over the years to cut across virtually all industries and professions, and is viewed as a critical, strategic skill in Nigeria.
According to Robinson Ingwe, Programme Director of BACONF 2011: “The conference has come at a time in Nigeria's history when the socio-political and economic life is undergoing radical transformation, and business analysis is at the centre of Nigeria's efforts at transformation.”
The IIBA Nigeria Chapter's president, Oludayo Awe, PMP, CBAP, echoed Ingwe's sentiments at the conference in his opening institutional address. “The IIBA Nigerian Chapter has a prominent role to play in developing Nigeria's millions of potential knowledge-based workers, and although the process will be gradual, the IIBA Nigeria Chapter is committed to transforming Nigerian society through business analysis in the ultimate goal of global competitiveness,” says Awe.
Erlank, whose trip to Nigeria was sponsored by FTI, has provided guidance to the members of the IIBA Nigeria Chapter since its inception. “It is very rewarding to witness the growth of the IIBA Nigeria Chapter and to see the fruits of their success at their inaugural National Business Analysis Conference,” says Erlank.
FTI has a culture of mentoring and supports the future growth of the IIBA Nigeria Chapter, and therefore, ultimately, business analysis practice in Nigeria. “FTI is keen for further expansion in Africa through the building of strategic relationships,” says Erlank.
South Africa's first Business Analysis Conference is planned for the third quarter of 2012.
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Faculty Training Institute
Faculty Training Institute (FTI) was established in 1989 to provide affordable, practical and professional training of the highest standards to the IT industry. Starting with two diploma courses, one in IS project management and one in systems analysis and design, FTI's product range now encompasses a wide and growing range of programmes. These programmes serve the professional skills-development needs of a community that stretches much wider than just information technology. The modern world continues to shift towards a knowledge economy where old skills and paradigms become obsolete and new careers and roles emerge. These roles require multi-skilled individuals capable of high-order thinking and problem-solving skills, across a range of industries and knowledge domains.
FTI's strategy is to proactively identify these knowledge roles and create courses and programmes that define and support these roles. In the past 20 years, FTI has graduated thousands of knowledge professionals from their signature diploma programmes, with many delegates returning to augment their skills by attending our focused, intensive short courses. Our corporate client base now extends across southern Africa and includes numerous leading companies.
Faculty Training Institute holds the following institutional accreditations:
* Fully Accredited Education and Training Provider with the MICT SETA (ACC/2010/00/601)
* First Education Provider to be endorsed by the International Institute of Business Analysis
* (IIBA) in South Africa and hold Charter status
* Registered Education Provider (REP 2841) with the Project Management Institute (PMI).
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