Stanley Mbelu

Name: Stanley Mbelu 
Profession: Academic, a Senior Lecturer in International and European Private Law (Specialist in Business Development and Consulting)
Country of Origin: Nigeria 
Lives in the Netherlands since: 2014 

“With IOM, we are currently working on Connecting Diaspora 4 Development 2, where we are successfully connecting Nigerian professionals who are living in the Netherlands to contribute towards capacity building in Nigeria.” Stanley has a certain way of sharing his knowledge and international network for the greater good. That is why he has been elected chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) in the Netherlands and successfully engaged NIDO to become a partner in the CD4D project.  

Stanley Mbelu first studied International Management (Business) in Ukraine and afterwards International Commercial Law in the United Kingdom. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, he experienced the difficulty of finding a job even as a highly qualified professional. His persistence and professionalism quickly opened doors and now he is a successful lecturer within the academic business world. 

“As a Nigerian professional living in the Netherlands, I fully understand the huge potential the Netherlands have to offer in strengthening and supporting Nigeria towards achieving the United Nations Development Sustainable Goals. I am also a business consultant and believe in the power of business for development. That is why I try to connect Dutch companies with an interest in Nigeria to Nigerian advisors and professionals.”

As a humanist, Stanley believes in the power of education to reduce inequalities. That is why his long-term goal, hope, and belief is to set up a school that offers scholarships (with support of international donors) to the less privileged, particularly orphans or kids from a single parent(mother) home. 

Despite the different hats he is wearing, his actions are always about giving back, connecting and moving forward.

photography by Kristie Wernink