Program Overview
The Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) is a premier executive doctorate designed for senior leaders seeking to enhance their strategic influence, research capability, and organizational impact. Established in 2019, the program combines rigorous academic scholarship with applied leadership practice. It prepares experienced executives to address complex business challenges using evidence-based solutions while advancing institutional performance and governance standards
What Makes the DBL Distinct
- Practice-oriented, applied research focus.
- Hybrid modular delivery for senior executives.
- Strong emphasis on strategic leadership and ethical governance.
- Close supervision and research mentoring.
- Regional executive network across Ghana and Nigeria
Strategic Purpose
The Doctor of Business Leadership at NiBS University is a strategic executive doctorate designed to elevate leadership capability, intellectual depth, and institutional impact across Africa. It produces scholar-practitioners who do not merely lead organizations—but transform them.
The DBL program aligns directly with Ghana’s national development priorities under the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2018–2030. It supports:
- Institutional capacity building
- Leadership development at scale
- Industrialization and economic competitiveness
- Enhancement of tertiary education quality
The program contributes to strengthening Africa’s leadership capital by producing scholar-practitioners capable of influencing both industry and academia.
Aims of the Programs
To prepare senior executives to assume and execute overall leadership responsibility within competitive national and global markets. The program is designed to:
- To strengthen executives’ ability to transfer knowledge and teach leadership effectively.
- To develop competence in curriculum design and tertiary-level business education delivery
Program Objectives
The DBL aims to:
- Deepen mastery of leadership theory and its strategic application.
- Strengthen the capacity to evaluate, generate, and apply new knowledge.
- Develop the ability to conduct and publish rigorous applied research.
- Produce high-quality, original research that advances leadership practice.
Graduate Competencies and Outcomes
Upon completion, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate executive-level capability in strategy, governance, innovation, organizational transformation, and ethical decision-making.
- Design and execute rigorous research that informs policy, enhances performance, and drives organizational effectiveness.
- Integrate theory and practice to address multidimensional leadership challenges with evidence-based solutions.
- Lead sustainable transformation initiatives across industries and sectors.
- Support executive education and business school teaching through pedagogical competence and scholarly depth.
- Engage in regional and international leadership discourse through professional and academic networks.
Duration
- Full-Time: Minimum of 3 years
- Part-Time: Minimum of 4 years
A one-year extension may be granted upon approval by the Academic Board
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following:
- Master’s degree (research or coursework) in management or business-related discipline with at least five (5) years of management experience
Applicants must meet one of the following:
- Master’s degree (research or coursework) in management or business-related discipline with at least five (5) years of management experience
OR
- Master’s degree in a non-business discipline plus a relevant professional qualification (e.g., ACCA, ICAG, CIM, CFA) and five (5) years of relevant experience
OR
- First degree in business/management with a minimum of ten (10) years of leadership experience
International Applicants
- Equivalent master’s degree (subject to GTEC equivalence determination)
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
Additional Requirements
- Completed application form
- Curriculum vitae
- Interview with Admissions Committee
- Application fee
- Required identification documents
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Program Structure
- Duration: 3–4 Years
- Structure: Two Integrated Stages
- Credit Load: 180 ECTS (90 Credits)
Phase I: Pre-Thesis Stage (Year 1)
The pre-thesis stage builds advanced theoretical and methodological foundations in leadership and research. Delivery includes on-campus sessions, live online seminars, critical research review, and structured term assignments. Successful completion of this stage qualifies candidates to proceed to the thesis stage.
Leadership Core
- Management Research Perspectives
- Leadership Ethics, Governance & Social Responsibility
- Leadership Theory and Practice
- Organizational Behavior Theory
Research Methods
- Â Management Research Design & Methodologies
- Research Methods in Business & Management
- Advanced Statistics
- Information Technologies for Business Research.
- Research Proposal Development and Defence.
- Comprehensive Examination
Phase II: Thesis Stage (Years 2–3)
The thesis stage requires candidates to apply advanced theoretical and analytical frameworks to a significant leadership challenge. Candidates conduct original applied research (qualitative and/or quantitative), test existing leadership theory, contribute actionable insights to practice and produce a doctoral thesis of publishable quality. Each candidate works closely with a supervisor who provides structured guidance on research design, publication, and professional development.
Content of Thesis Project
- Critical Literature Review
- Empirical Research
- Case Study
- External Examination
- Oral Defence
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