Nigeria’s fintech landscape has experienced unprecedented growth, transforming the financial services sector. Behind this revolution are visionary Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) driving innovation and technological advancements. This article delves into the lives and experiences of these tech leaders, exploring their roles, challenges, and future aspirations.
The Rise of Fintech in Nigeria
Nigeria’s fintech sector has recorded remarkable expansion, with investments exceeding $1 billion in 2022 alone. This growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of digital financial services, favorable regulations, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian innovators.
Gurbhej Dhillon – CTO FlutterwaveÂ
Gurbhej Dhillon is a seasoned technology executive with a proven track record of driving innovation in the fintech industry. As Chief Technology Officer at Flutterwave, a leading African payment platform, he is responsible for overseeing the company’s technological infrastructure and product development.
With over two decades of experience, Dhillon brings a wealth of expertise to Flutterwave. Prior to joining the company in 2022, he spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs, where he held various senior leadership positions, including Managing Director and Technology Fellow. During his tenure at Goldman Sachs, he played a pivotal role in developing the Marcus Lending platform as CTO and Head of Lending Engineering.
Dhillon’s technical prowess extends to system architecture, platform development, and managing large-scale global teams. His early career also includes experience as an Application Developer at JetBlue Airways.
Babafemi Ogungbamila-EVP, Operations and Technology, InterswitchÂ
Babafemi Ogungbamila is a seasoned technology executive with a proven track record of driving innovation and operational excellence in the fintech industry. As EVP of Operations and Technology at Interswitch, a leading African payment technology company, he is responsible for overseeing the company’s infrastructure, software development, and overall operations.
With over two decades of experience, Ogungbamila has been a key contributor to Interswitch’s growth and success. Since joining the company in 2003, he has held various leadership roles, including Chief Information Officer. In this capacity, he led a large team of engineers across multiple regions to develop cloud-native solutions and leverage big data analytics to drive business insights.
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Before joining Interswitch, Ogungbamila gained valuable experience working as a Software Engineer at Neptune Software and Accenture. He holds a degree in Computer Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University and has also completed the Senior Management Program at the Lagos Business School.
Musty Mustapha-Co-Founder / Chief Technology Officer, KudaÂ
Prior to co-founding Kuda, Musty built a robust career in the banking and fintech sectors. He was the Senior Software Development Engineer at Stanbic IBTC, where he led a team to execute the bank’s digital transformation strategy, focusing on cutting-edge technologies to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
He co-founded Kudimoney, Nigeria’s first online-only lending and savings platform, which served as a precursor to Kuda.
His journey began at First Bank of Nigeria Ltd and Keystone Bank Limited, where he worked as a Business Solutions Developer and Solutions Developer, respectively. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from the prestigious University of Lagos, where he graduated with Distinction.Before this, he earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science from the University of Ilorin, graduating with First Class Honors. During his time there, he founded De07, a group of programming enthusiasts dedicated to exploring innovative software solutions.
Felix Ike-CTO Moniepoint IncÂ
Felix Ike is a seasoned technology leader with a passion for driving innovation in the fintech industry. As Chief Technology Officer at Moniepoint Inc., he is responsible for leading the company’s technological strategy and developing software solutions that empower individuals and businesses across Nigeria.
With over nine years of experience at Moniepoint, Ike has played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s financial operations through technology. Prior to his current role, he served as Lead Architect, where he leveraged his expertise in software architecture, development, and team management to ensure the delivery of robust solutions.
Before joining Moniepoint, Ike worked as a Software Developer at Interswitch, where he was part of a specialized research and development team. He began his career as Lead Developer at Tiketmobil.
Ike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos, where he graduated with First Class Honours. His academic achievements, combined with his hands-on experience, have positioned him as a leading figure in the Nigerian fintech industry.
Eric Chijioke– CTO Paga GroupÂ
Eric Chijioke is a seasoned technology executive with a proven track record of driving innovation in the fintech industry. As Chief Technology Officer at Paga Group Ltd, a leading African digital payments platform, he is responsible for overseeing the company’s technological infrastructure and ensuring seamless user experiences.
Since joining Paga in 2011, Chijioke has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success. Prior to his tenure at Paga, he co-founded Apposit LLC and served as Managing Partner. Under his leadership, Paga has processed transactions worth a staggering N14 trillion in the past 15 years, with 80% of that volume occurring in the last five years alone.
Chijioke’s career began at Harvard University where he served as Lead Software Architect for the DSA Project. In this role, he spearheaded the development of an integrated financial management information system (IFMIS) for the Government of Ethiopia, demonstrating his ability to manage complex, high-impact technological initiatives.
Before joining Harvard, Chijioke worked as a Senior Systems Analyst at ERisk, where he gained valuable experience in risk management software solutions for financial institutions. His foundational experience in mechanical engineering, combined with his expertise in technology, has equipped him with the skills and insights necessary to excel in his current role.
