Spotlight on BCG alumnus

JUSTICE ADU

Real people. Real journeys.

“Consulting teaches you how to create clarity where it doesn’t exist.

That doesn’t stop being relevant when you leave the firm.”

Justice Adu is the kind of professional who brings structure to ambiguity, not just in consulting, but in how he approaches decisions more broadly.

Originally from Ghana, he began his consulting career at Africa Foresight Group, working across markets on the continent, after initially working in the energy sector and investment banking. He later pursued an MBA at Oxford University, an experience that broadened his perspective and led him to BCG Lagos, where he joined as the office’s first summer intern before growing into the role of Project Leader.

Over three years, he worked across financial services, energy, as well as climate & sustainability, collaborating with teams in Cairo, Zurich, London, Johannesburg, Milan, Madrid, and Nairobi.

Today, he is back at Oxford as a Career Development Advisor, supporting students as they navigate key moments in their careers, applying the same structured thinking in a different context.

“In ten years, I want to see more African talent in global leadership roles, and more people who feel like they belong there."

Interview

What did BCG really change for you?

BCG raised the bar on how I think and how I operate. Not just in terms of frameworks or problem solving, though that's part of it. What really stays with you is the expectation to create clarity. Even when things are messy, incomplete, or moving fast.

Over time, that becomes part of how you approach everything. You stop just answering questions. You start helping shape direction, align stakeholders, move decisions forward. It changes how you show up in rooms, in conversations, in your own thinking.

When did you realize you were no longer ‘learning consulting’ but actually thinking like one?

It’s the moment you stop waiting for clarity and start creating it. For me, that shift didn’t come with a title. It happened during a long-term climate engagement, where there were multiple stakeholders, different perspectives, and no clear answers. The kind of situation where you keep expecting someone to step in and make sense of it. And then you realize: no one is going to hand you the answer. You have to structure it yourself. That's when something shifts. You move from contributing to owning parts of the problem. And you start trusting your judgment a lot more.

Why step out right then after building that momentum?

Because I realized the part I valued most wasn’t the projects, it was the people. Over time, I found myself drawn more to coaching. Helping someone think through a problem, prepare for an interview, or make a decision. Those were the moments that stayed with me.

Moving back to the UK was a personal decision, but choosing Oxford was very intentional. It didn’t feel like leaving consulting. It felt more like applying the same skills more directly.

Be honest, what do you miss about consulting? And what don't you miss?

What I miss: the pace. And the people. You’re surrounded by very sharp, driven individuals, and that environment pushes you in a way that’s hard to replicate. There’s also a certain rhythm to it: the pressure, the deadlines, the constant problem solving. You don’t fully appreciate it until you step away.

What I don’t miss is the constant context-switching. You’re moving quickly between topics, teams, and priorities. It builds a strong skillset, but it also comes with trade-offs. At Oxford, the pace is different, more focused and more reflective. And that’s a conscious choice.

So what actually stays with you after BCG?

The way you think.

You carry structured thinking into everything, how you approach problems, how you communicate, and how you make decisions. And somewhere along the way, you build the confidence to figure things out, even when you don't have all the answers. That part doesn't leave you.

If you had to name one thing consulting builds that few other paths do, what is it?

Comfort with uncertainty.

Not eliminating it, but learning how to work through it. You stop waiting for perfect information and start moving forward with what you have. That’s what makes the experience so transferable.

Oxford sits in the middle of your journey. What did it unlock for you?

Perspective.

It came at a moment when stepping back really mattered. You're suddenly exposed to completely different ways of thinking, different industries, different ambitions, different definitions of success.

It pushes you to reset. You stop thinking in terms of "what's next" and start asking what actually fits.

You now sit on the other side advising future consultants. What do most candidates still get wrong?

They tend to over-focus on knowledge and under-focus on how they think. People worry about whether they know enough, but what really matters is how you structure problems, how you communicate, and how you engage. Preparation matters more than most expect it too. Strong candidates are not just talented, they’re prepared.

From your lens today is consulting still worth it?

Yes, but for the right reasons.

Not as a default or a brand decision, but as a way to build a strong foundation in how you think, how you operate, and how you learn. Over time, that foundation really compounds.

What do African professionals bring that others often underestimate?

A strong ability to operate in complexity.

Often developed out of necessity. You're used to environments that are less structured, more dynamic, and where responsibility comes earlier and the path forward is rarely clear. Over time, that becomes an edge. You're comfortable in the grey. You don't need everything perfectly defined to move forward.

Africa is often described as ‘high potential.’ What’s actually missing?

Execution at scale.

The talent is there, and so is the ambition. What’s still developing are the systems needed to better support, connect, and grow that talent over time. That includes mentorship, exposure, and access as well as stronger involvement from those who have already gone through these paths.

So where do you want to play in that?

I want to help close that gap, between potential and performance.

For me, that means helping people build confidence, develop the right skills, and position themselves effectively.

Looking ahead, I’d like to see more African talent in global leadership roles, and more people who genuinely feel like they belong there.

Justice – unfiltered

Energy you bring as a leader:

Calm, structured, people-focused.

What drives you today:

Helping others navigate decisions with confidence.

What makes candidates stand out:

Clarity of thinking and simple communication.

Career advice you repeat most:

Focus on transferable skills, problem solving, communication, and teamwork.

Most underrated consulting skill:

Listening.

AI and consulting:

It will change the work, but not replace judgment.

Your AI tip:

Ask for structured outputs, tables force better thinking.

Oxford in one word: Captivating.

BCG Lagos in one word: Creative.

Africa in one word: Opportunity.