By Rita Okoye

Olukunle Aboderin is an inspiring example of someone building a solid career and succeeding in financial technology despite coming from a background in science and entertainment.

Olukunle’s journey from his early days as a DJ and media personality in Osun state to his current role is nothing short of extraordinary, which shows that with determination and grit, anything is possible.

Olukunle’s passion for music was sparked early on by his father, a DJ who exposed him to diverse genres of music. This early influence laid the foundation for Olukunle’s future success as an entertainer. As a physics student at Osun State University in 2008, Olukunle spotted an opportunity – the lack of vibrant entertainment in the region. Determined to fill this void, he drew on his natural talents and quickly became the most sought-after DJ.

“Given that Osun State University was still relatively new, I recognized an opportunity to introduce premium entertainment tailored to the university community. It allowed me to pursue my passion and generate income,” he reflected.

Soon after his meteoric rise as a DJ, awards and media opportunities came pouring in. He hosted radio shows, including the most popular game show in Osun state at the time, and also hosted a music video countdown program on TV. As his influence grew, Olukunle leveraged his platform to propel Nigeria’s rising hip-hop scene forward, hosting hip-hop events across Lagos. He also worked closely with hip-hop artists like MI, Blaqbonez, Loose Kaynon and Beatsbyjayy at 100 Crowns, a trailblazing subsidiary of Chocolate City focused on Hip Hop/Rap music.

While his path seemed crystal clear, inspiration became an inevitable need. Olukunle, though fostering a thriving career in entertainment yearned for a more stable and sophisticated means of income. One that would be sustainable after his university education. He went on to work with eTranzact during his NYSC placement and was retained as a full-time employee afterwards, which set the foundation for a new career path.

The transition from a full-time DJ to a finance professional was no easy feat, but Olukunle was determined to make it happen. He steadily built up his expertise, working across several Banking institutions in Nigeria, gaining experience in financial operations, technology and data.  Motivated by a passion for continuous growth, Olukunle pursued graduate studies in two dynamic, complementary fields. He obtained a Master’s degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos, developing expertise in risk analysis and quantitative modeling.

Seeking to bolster these analytical skills, Olukunle then earned another Master’s degree with a distinction in Data Science and Analytics from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. These advanced degrees and other certifications equipped him with critical finance, statistics, and computer science knowledge. His commitment to lifelong learning also demonstrated initiative, and focus. Olukunle’s academic achievements reflect the value of dedicating oneself to continued personal development and career enhancement.

In 2020, Olukunle joined Flutterwave, a leading African payment company transforming payment systems across Africa. “Joining Flutterwave was a turning point for me,” Olukunle says with a sense of pride. “It felt like a natural progression, a way to channel my passion for innovation and my desire to contribute to the financial industry in Africa.”

So far, Olukunle has made significant contributions at Flutterwave; he built their Reconciliation team from the ground up and also contributed to the product operations framework for retail operations products like barter, virtual card services, money transfers etc. In addition, Olukunle played a vital role in helping with the expansion of Flutterwave’s global reach by integrating new partners and providing subject matter expertise on product operations.

Leveraging his innovative and ambitious mindset, Olukunle continues to progress into roles that illustrate his determination to succeed in the dynamic sphere of financial technology. His journey proves passion and perseverance can turn unconventional paths into roads of lasting impact.

“I want to inspire others to think beyond the status quo and conventional career paths,” Olukunle adds. “Sometimes, the most innovative ideas happen at unexpected intersections.”

Looking ahead, Olukunle Aboderin envisions a future where technology and finance continue to merge, making financial services more accessible and being a part of building the new currency cloud for Africa. He remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with financial technology and inspiring the next generation of innovators.