An “As Told To” interview by Kristaps Kovalonoks, Research Coordinator at Aalto School of Business.
This interview is part of a first-person storytelling series highlighting the personal journeys, ideas, and insights of members of Aalto University’s Entrepreneurship Unit (ENTU). Real stories, told in their own words.
What motivates someone from Nigeria to pursue a PhD in Finland, after studying in Russia and collaborating in Singapore? In this interview, Chukwuka Igboanua, a doctoral researcher at LUT University and visiting researcher at Aalto University’s Entrepreneurship Unit (ENTU), shares how an early interest in international business, encouragement from mentors, and a curiosity about context in entrepreneurship led him to sustainable entrepreneurship research. He reflects on growing up in an entrepreneurial family, navigating academic life as a non-EU researcher, and what it means to build both a career and a community in Finland.
I’m originally from Anambra, a southeastern state of Nigeria, though I grew up in Abuja, the capital. After high school, I explored opportunities to study abroad because getting into university in Nigeria can be quite competitive, and many students, myself included, aim to pursue higher-quality education elsewhere. I received a national scholarship through Nigeria’s Bilateral Education Agreement, which supports studies in non-English speaking countries such as Russia and China. That took me to Moscow, where I completed a bachelor’s degree in international economics, studying entirely in Russian.
While in Russia, I started thinking about continuing my education in Europe. I mentioned this to a cousin who was also studying there, and sometime later he sent me a link to LUT University’s International Business and Entrepreneurship master’s programme. I applied, got accepted, and moved to Finland in 2019. Since then, I have completed my master’s degree and continued straight into doctoral studies. Altogether, I’ve now been in Finland for almost six years.
Already during my bachelor’s in Russia, I chose international economics because I felt it would give me the flexibility to apply my knowledge in different countries. That early international focus continued with my master’s in Finland, where I specialised in international business and entrepreneurship. Over time, these experiences deepened my interest in understanding how global contexts influence entrepreneurship, especially when working across diverse economic and cultural settings.
As part of my doctoral studies at LUT University, I had the chance to spend three months at Singapore Management University, where one of my supervisors is based. The original plan was to collect data in Southeast Asia, but visa limitations made cross-border mobility difficult. Still, the visit turned out to be highly productive. We developed one of my favourite research papers during that time. It was also my first time in Asia, and I really enjoyed the culture, the food, and the collaborative environment. These kinds of international exchanges constantly challenge and expand how I think about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and access to opportunity.
Entrepreneurship has always been close to home. My dad runs a building materials business and my mom works in the soft drinks trade, so I originally thought I might start a business myself. When I started my master’s in International Business and Entrepreneurship at LUT University, I was drawn to the research side of things. The programme had a strong academic focus, and I enjoyed developing my own questionnaire and going through the full research process.
That experience, along with the encouragement of my supervisor Henri Hakala, made me seriously consider pursuing a PhD. He suggested I apply for a position and felt I had a good grasp of writing and research. With his support and mentorship, I transitioned directly into doctoral studies and found that entrepreneurship research was something I could genuinely see myself doing long term.
The connection with Aalto started when I took a KATAJA course hosted there and first met Ewald Kibler. Over time, I met him again at other courses and events, and I eventually realised he had collaborated with my supervisor at LUT University, Henri Hakala. When I later moved to Helsinki, I told Henri I would like to have a place to work outside of home, and he suggested reaching out to Ewald. That is how the visiting researcher role at ENTU came about. It was all based on existing networks.
Since joining ENTU, the experience has been very positive. The team has been welcoming, and I have enjoyed helping with entrepreneurship-related events and meeting new colleagues. While the collaboration was not formal to begin with, there is real potential for joint work, and it has been a good opportunity to get more involved with the community here.
My research looks at how context shapes the actions of sustainable entrepreneurs. The core idea is that nothing happens in a vacuum. Entrepreneurial decisions are always influenced by the environment around them. I focus on startups and SMEs that aim to make a social or environmental impact alongside financial returns, and I explore how different types of context influence their behaviour.
Specifically, I examine spatial, temporal, and social contexts. I look at how the geographic distance between impact investors and startups affects the chances of getting funding, especially when financial resources are concentrated in high-income countries while many pressing issues are in low/middle-income countries. I also study how longer-term thinking influences sustainability practices, and how organisations interact with stakeholders in their community, whether it is one-way support or more collaborative relationships. Overall, the goal is to show that context deeply affects how sustainable entrepreneurship happens in practice.
One of the most eye-opening moments during my research journey was seeing how different academic environments operate. When I visited Singapore Management University, I noticed how structured and hierarchical things felt. My interactions were mostly limited to my own supervisor, and it was a very different rhythm compared to what I was used to in Finland. That experience made me reflect on how much freedom and flexibility Finnish doctoral students often have in shaping their own research.
In Finland, and especially at ENTU, I have been able to engage with multiple faculty members and build genuine academic connections. The environment is less about hierarchy and more about open dialogue, which makes it easier to explore ideas and feel part of a community. Comparing the two systems helped me realise how much I value the Finnish model and its trust-based approach to doing research.
It has mostly been a positive experience. I’ve had supportive supervisors, and I’ve felt well integrated into both the university and wider Finnish society. Still, there are practical challenges. Travel for conferences or data collection outside Europe can be complicated, especially with a Nigerian passport, which often requires extra planning and visa applications. Language can also be a limitation when applying for non-academic jobs, as many roles require Finnish.
At the same time, my background has allowed me to bring a different lens to research. I’ve contributed to projects involving African universities, including one in Nigeria, where I could help interpret cultural contexts and facilitate collaboration. These experiences have shown me the value of having international perspectives in research, especially when working on issues like sustainability, development, or entrepreneurship in varying economic and socio-cultural contexts.
I have felt genuinely welcome in Finland, both in academia and in my personal life. For example, I played football with a local team where most of the players were Finnish, and I always felt included. There was even a situation where a teammate stood up for me when someone else made a questionable comment, which I hadn’t heard myself. At the university, I’ve been well supported and integrated, so overall my experience has been positive.
That said, integration is not without its challenges. Before starting my PhD, I applied for jobs outside academia but didn’t receive many responses. It was during the COVID period, so the job market was already tough, but I sometimes wondered if language requirements or even having a foreign-sounding name played a role. I know others who speak fluent Finnish and still face similar issues. While I can’t say for sure what the reasons were, it’s clear that some barriers do exist, especially in the job market.
My advice would be to stay proactive and keep a positive mindset. Find people who can advocate for you, and do not hesitate to ask directly for opportunities or support. I’ve been fortunate to have supervisors who believed in me and put opportunities in front of me, but I also made sure to express my interest and follow up. In Finland, people can be a bit more reserved, so it helps to be clear about what you’re looking for.
It is also important to build a life outside academia. I joined a local football team during my time in Lappeenranta, which gave me a routine, helped me make friends, and even improved my Finnish a little. Creating that kind of balance is important. And when it comes to learning the language, I would say take your time. You do not have to be fluent right away, but even small steps help you feel more integrated and open new doors.
