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Kaduna Business School

Professor Helen Afang Andow, Ph.D.

Professor Helen Afang Andow, Ph.D.

Professor of Entrepreneurship Management

Background

Prof. Helen Afang Andow is an esteemed academic leader and trailblazing entrepreneur, celebrated as the first female Professor of Entrepreneurship Management from northern Nigeria. With over 17 years of experience in academia, research, and consultancy, she has significantly contributed to the advancement of entrepreneurship, leadership, and organizational development in Nigeria and beyond.

A graduate of the University of Maiduguri and a doctoral alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, she has pioneered innovative teaching and research methods, producing 8 textbooks and more than 80 peer-reviewed research articles that have shaped policy and business practices. Her work spans topics such as entrepreneurial ecosystems, digital transformation, gender equity in business, and public sector reforms.

Prof. Andow’s career has been marked by excellence in leadership. She has served in several high-ranking roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Director of the Entrepreneurship Research and Development Centre, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Strategy, Innovation, and Service Delivery. These roles have positioned her at the forefront of shaping academic programs, mentoring future leaders, and fostering institutional growth.

A passionate educator, Prof. Andow has supervised 5 PhD and 36 MSc candidates and externally examined more than 100 postgraduate theses across Nigeria. She is a certified trainer for doctoral supervision and an advocate for quality education, having led training sessions in Africa, Europe, and the USA.

Beyond academia, Prof. Andow has established herself as a thought leader and consultant, advising government bodies, private enterprises, and NGOs on entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and organizational development. She is a Fellow of multiple professional institutes, including the African Council for Small & Entrepreneurship and the Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management.

Her global engagements include presenting groundbreaking research at renowned institutions such as Harvard University and participating in strategic initiatives that have shaped entrepreneurial policies and practices. Her numerous national and international awards underscore her contributions to academia and society.

Prof. Andow is committed to bridging the gap between academia and practice, fostering innovation, and creating sustainable solutions to Africa’s socio-economic challenges.

Areas Of Expertise

  • Entrepreneurship Development and Management
  • Strategic Management and Business Policy
  • Public Finance and International Business
  • Research Methodology and Advanced Data Analysis
  • Leadership and Organizational Behavior

Education

  • PhD in Management – Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna (2012)
  • MBA in Business Administration – University of Maiduguri (2002)
  • PGDE in Education – Kaduna Polytechnic (2007)
  • BSc in Business Administration – University of Maiduguri (1997)

Certifications

  • Certified Trainer for Doctoral Supervision – Stellenbosch University, South Africa
  • E-Learning Expert Certification – Louisiana State University, USA
  • Advanced Digital Appreciation Program (ADAPTI) – Digital Bridge Institute, Nigeria
  • Train-the-Trainer on Entrepreneurship – Lagos Business School

Professional Experience

  • Professor – Kaduna State University (2020 – Present)
  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Kaduna State University (Current Role)
  • Director – Entrepreneurship Research and Development Centre (2018 – 2022)
  • Head of Department – Business Administration, Kaduna State University (2014 – 2018)
  • Consultant – Kaduna Business School (2012 – Present)

Honours And Awards

  • Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management
  • Fellow, African Council for Small & Entrepreneurship
  • Numerous national and international recognitions for academic and leadership excellence.

Key Publications & Presentations

Prof. Andow has authored over 80 peer-reviewed research articles published in reputable national and international journals and has made numerous presentations at conferences worldwide. Below is a selection of key publications and presentations:

Selected Publications

  1. Andow, H. A. (2015). Impact of Consolidation on Service Delivery in the Banking Sector: The Nigerian Experience. Presented at the 2nd 21st Century Academy Forum Conference, Harvard University, Boston, USA.
  2. Andow, H. A. (2016). Financial Development and Economic Growth: Impact of Banks’ Size and Efficiency in Financing Real Sector Growth in Nigeria. Academy of Management, Nigeria.
  3. Andow, H. A. (2019). Effect of Board Composition and Independence on Financial Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. Presented at the 19th Multidisciplinary Academic Conference, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
  4. Andow, H. A. (2022). Impact of Electronic Banking on the Operational Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Presented at the 7th International Interdisciplinary Research & Development Conference, Benue State University, Nigeria.
  5. Andow, H. A. (2023). Moderating Effect of Entrepreneurial Motivation on the Relationship Between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Performance of SMEs in Gombe State, Nigeria. African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Studies.
  6. Andow, H. A. (2020). The Role of Digital Transformation in MSME Performance in Nigeria. Journal of Social and Management Sciences.
  7. Andow, H. A. (2021). Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Start-Up Success in Northern Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Research.
  8. Andow, H. A. (2018). Effect of Leadership Styles on Employee Performance in Selected Public Institutions. Journal of Economic Research and Entrepreneurship Development.
  9. Andow, H. A. (2017). Gender and Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Academy of Entrepreneurship Proceedings.
  10. Andow, H. A. (2021). Social Media and Small Business Growth in Kaduna State. Nigerian Journal of Business Studies.
  11. Andow, H. A. (2022). Impact of Entrepreneurial Financing on the Growth of Manufacturing SMEs in North-Central Nigeria. African Journal of Development Studies.
  12. Andow, H. A. (2014). The Influence of Organizational Culture on Employee Retention in the Banking Sector. Journal of Business Management and Economics.
  13. Andow, H. A. (2023). The Effect of Risk Management on Financial Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. Journal of Financial Studies.
  14. Andow, H. A. (2016). The Role of Innovation Capability in Enhancing SME Competitiveness. Presented at the International Entrepreneurship Conference, Kaduna, Nigeria.
  15. Andow, H. A. (2015). Entrepreneurship Education and Graduate Employability in Nigerian Universities. Issues in Business Management and Economics Journal.

Selected Presentations

  • Harnessed Entrepreneurial Latent Engenders Neoliberalism (HELEN). Professorial Inaugural Lecture, Kaduna State University, November 30, 2021.
  • Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Firm Sustainability in Manufacturing SMEs in South-West Nigeria. International Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Kaduna, Nigeria.
  • Environmental Leadership and Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Nigerian Public Service. Nigerian Institute of Management Annual Conference.
  • The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Business Resilience in Nigeria. Virtual International Conference on Business Sustainability, 2022.