NICA celebrates its Fellow, Dr. Patience Dappa, on her PhD achievement
The National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA), chartered, congratulates Dr. (Barr.) Patience Dappa, a distinguished Fellow of the Institute and respected member of the credit management community, on the successful completion of her academic programme with the renowned Azteca University, Mexico.
Through its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NICA, Azteca University provides an academic pathway that enables duly inducted Fellows—who have completed both the Mandatory Credit Management Academic Improvement Programme (MCMAIP) and the rigorous Certified Chartered Credit Administrator (CCCA) Certification Programme—to advance their studies by enrolling in the Doctoral Programme in Credit Administration Management. This programme, which combines intensive executive research with professional certification components, is designed to deepen industry-relevant knowledge and strengthen professional practice in credit administration management.
Dr. (Barr.) Patience Dappa’s achievement represents not only a personal milestone but also a professional triumph for the credit management profession in Nigeria. As a proud ambassador of the profession, she has consistently demonstrated excellence, commitment, and academic distinction—an inspiring example despite her demanding schedule as a business leader.
In an exclusive conversation with NICA, Dr. Dappa described her journey as both fulfilling and humbling. For her, the PhD pursuit was far more than an academic exercise; it was a testament to perseverance, discipline, and vision. She reflected on how she undertook the programme while leading a large conglomerate, overseeing multiple subsidiaries, serving on various boards, and still fulfilling her roles as a wife, mother, and mentor. Completing the journey, she said, reminds her that no dream is too distant and no goal too high when one chooses focus, sacrifice, and continuous learning. She expressed deep gratitude to God, her family, her dedicated team, and all who supported her, noting that this success belongs not only to her but to every woman and professional who dares to keep climbing.
Speaking on the impact of her achievement, Dr. Dappa explained that her doctorate has significantly sharpened her insight into corporate credit structures, financial governance, and risk mitigation—critical pillars for business growth and sustainability in Nigeria’s economic landscape. She believes this depth of knowledge will further empower her leadership as Group Managing Director and CEO of Masters Energy Group. On the family front, she hopes her journey inspires her children, mentees, and colleagues to dream big and embrace lifelong learning, reminding them that success is not about accumulating titles but about expanding influence and impact. Socially, she sees this milestone opening more opportunities for advocacy, mentorship, and thought leadership in women’s leadership, youth development, and ethical business practice. In her words, education is a tool for transformation, and she intends to use hers to empower others and shape meaningful conversations.
Reflecting on why she chose a PhD in Credit Administration Management, she explained that her decision was both strategic and intentional. Having worked extensively across corporate finance, banking, and enterprise development, particularly through financial services subsidiaries, she recognised credit administration as a critical pillar of business continuity. She sought deeper competence not only to enhance her organisation’s operations but also to contribute meaningfully to national discussions on credit policy, ethical lending, and entrepreneurship. Highlighting the challenges faced by Nigerian SMEs—such as structural barriers and poor credit culture—she emphasised the need for thought leadership to bridge these gaps. Beyond professional motivations, she revealed that one of her strongest drivers was her passion for inspiring women. She wants every young woman to understand that leadership, excellence, and continuous growth are achievable, stressing that academic excellence, personal development, spiritual grounding, and character are essential for rising to the top. Her PhD, she said, is a deliberate message that one can be beautiful, brilliant, balanced, boldly ambitious, and still rise.
Following the Federal Government’s proclamation and recognition of Credit Management as a national profession at NICA’s National Credit Managers Conference in October 2024, it is only fitting to celebrate individuals whose achievements continue to bring honour and advancement to this vital profession. Dr. (Barr.) Patience Dappa’s accomplishment is not only monumental but also commendable and profoundly inspiring.
As a statutory professional body established by Act No. 26 of 2022 for the control, supervision, and regulation of the credit management profession in Nigeria, the National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA), chartered, on behalf of the Governing Council and its members, joins Dr. Dappa’s family, friends, colleagues, and associates in celebrating this remarkable achievement. We extend our warmest congratulations and encourage other credit management professionals to draw inspiration from her dedication and pursuit of academic excellence.
Dr. (Barr.) Patience Dappa, you are now among the experts preferred for senior roles in academia, research, and industry, with opportunities to contribute to the field globally as part of an international community of scholars and researchers in credit administration management. Once again, congratulations!
