Student Paddy, in partnership with SafeBridge and the Entrepreneurship & Skill Development Centre (ESDC) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has successfully concluded a 12-week Shadowing Program designed to equip students with practical fintech development skills.

The program, which focused on PHP Full Stack Development, ended with a closing ceremony on December 9, 2025, celebrating the achievements of participants and the transformative impact of the initiative.

The program aimed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and industry demands, offering hands-on experience to students under the mentorship of Olaleye Osunsanya, a seasoned Software Engineering Manager with nearly two decades of global IT experience.

Osunsanya guided participants through backend and frontend programming, payment system integration, and platform optimization, providing them with insights into the real-world challenges of the fintech sector.

Two standout participants, Abdullah Oyetoro and Fuad Adegoke, both 300-level Systems Engineering students, distinguished themselves through their contributions.

Abdullah focused on backend development, enhancing SafeBridge’s server-side integration and platform security, while Fuad specialized in frontend development, creating user-centric interfaces. Both students expressed gratitude for the experience, with Abdullah calling it a “game-changer” that boosted his confidence, and Fuad highlighting the mentorship as invaluable to his growth.

SafeBridge, a fintech escrow service founded by Olu-Daniel Jeremiah, provided the platform for students to tackle real-world projects and hone their skills.

Jeremiah emphasized the importance of investing in young talent to sustain the tech industry’s growth. The ESDC, led by Professor Sunday Abayomi Adebisi, played a crucial role in organizing the initiative, furthering its mission to align academic training with industry needs.

Student Paddy, founded by UNILAG alumnus Nnaemeka Praise Ifeakor, facilitated the program and reinforced its commitment to capacity building by donating ₦100,000 to the ESDC. Ifeakor expressed pride in the initiative’s success and reiterated plans to expand similar programs across Africa to empower young tech innovators.

The Shadowing Program’s success underscores the transformative potential of academic-industry partnerships in fostering innovation and preparing students for competitive industries. It serves as a testament to the value of collaboration in shaping the next generation of tech leaders, providing them with the tools to thrive in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape.