Lotanna Ohazuruike, Rice Business MBA Class of 2027
Age: 33
Hometown: Imo State, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution and Major: BTech in Petroleum Engineering from Rivers State University; MSc in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt and IFP School France; PhD in Petroleum Engineering from University of Houston
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I worked across the energy value chain as a petroleum engineer, have held roles in academia, worked as a strategy consultant with Bain & Company, and was a subject matter expert with SotaOG, an energy-tech startup.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I am going to business school because I want to build on my technical and consulting foundation and grow into a leader who can shape strategy and drive impact at scale. I have been fortunate to work across the energy value chain — as an engineer, a consultant at Bain and most recently in senior engineering roles — and those experiences showed me that I love solving complex problems. But they also showed me that to move from solving problems within projects to setting direction at the organizational or industry level, I need a stronger toolkit in areas like finance, leadership and operations. Business school is an opportunity for me to gain those skills in a structured way while also gaining a lifelong community of like-minded peers.
For me, the timing feels right. I have reached a point where I have proven myself technically, experienced an outside-in view on corporate strategy, and now I want to pivot into roles that combine innovation and leadership to drive large-scale impact — whether that’s optimizing existing energy systems, driving decarbonization in energy or launching new ventures.
Why did you choose Rice Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When I was deciding where to attend business school, the biggest factor for me was culture. I wanted to be in a place where collaboration, support and strong relationships were at the center of the experience, not just competition. I also looked closely at the strength of the community, both among students and alumni, because I have experienced how much the people you surround yourself with can shape your growth and opportunities.
Academic rigor was another important factor, as was the career support during and following the MBA. I wanted a program that would challenge me, sharpen my skills in finance and strategy, push me out of my comfort zone, but also support my lifelong professional growth. At the same time, proximity mattered. Being in the energy capital was a huge plus for me, both for professional reasons — given my background and future goals in the energy and sustainability space — and for personal reasons, as it allows me to stay connected to family and my support system (especially Nigerian restaurants).
Altogether, I truly could not have made a better choice.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I think my biggest contribution to the Class of 2027 will be the mix of experiences and perspectives I bring, combined with how I show up as a teammate and leader. Professionally, I have worked across the energy value chain, which gives me a unique perspective that I can share in class discussions and projects. But I also lead by lifting others up, mentoring peers and building community. Whether it’s helping a teammate tackle a tough problem, organizing a student event or just making people feel included, I want to bring energy, perspective and a sense of fun to the class.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love to read and write poetry. My all-time favorite is “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.
Post-MBA career interests:
Corporate Strategy, Finance & Operations
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to people. Understand their motivations and the reason for their choices. The numerous chats I had with alumni from multiple schools helped me identify the persona of each, their uniqueness, and ultimately how to decide on which was most ideal for the career ahead for me.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would start two or three years early.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could have skipped one part of the business school search, it would be the hours of researching programs and trying to compare them across dozens of metrics. It can get overwhelming and sometimes feel like you’re chasing a “perfect fit” that doesn’t exist. What helped me get through it was leaning on mentors, current students and alumni who gave me real stories beyond the brochures. Those conversations grounded me, reminded me of my priorities and made the process feel a lot more human.
What is your initial impression of the Rice Business students/culture/community?
There’s an energy of collaboration-over-competition, and you can really feel the sense of community — like people want to see each other succeed and grow together. We are a very small, tightly knit community.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Energy and CleanTech Association, Finance Association, Black Business Student Association. My goal is to have a mix of professional interests, personal affiliations and someplace to chill.
What is one thing you have learned about Rice Business that has surprised you?
What really stood out to me was how many staff are there just to support MBA students. It is honestly impressive, and it feels like no matter what you need, there is someone ready to help.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Global Field Experience. I can’t wait to dive into a consulting project for a South American company and finally get to explore South America in person! I might even take Spanish or Portuguese classes beforehand.
