By Victoria Oke

When you first meet Adeniyi, it is hard to believe that this poised, articulate product design leader is mostly self-taught. With a background in environmental biology, Adeniyi’s path to becoming a design powerhouse is anything but conventional. Yet, his unwavering passion, relentless commitment to growth, and innate problem-solving abilities have propelled him to the forefront of the tech industry, driving transformative impact.

Adeniyi’s journey began long before he joined the team at M-KOPA, the innovative fintech company revolutionizing financial inclusion. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Adeniyi was drawn to the intersection of art, technology, and design. eeply fascinated by computers and possessing a natural talent for visual expression, he embarked on a self-guided odyssey to master the craft of graphic design.

“Self-learning isn’t necessarily an easy path to take as it’s very unstructured and time-consuming. I had to pursue this path largely due to the unavailability of the required funds to pursue a master’s degree or to pay for high-end design courses. I spent the bulk of my time scouring through tons of YouTube videos learning anything that seemed relevant”, he explains.

This greenhorn soon landed his first job as a graphic designer, working with a consulting company and afterward an NGO. He also began honing his digital marketing and brand consulting skills, diversifying his portfolio in the design space. Reflecting on the longevity of his outputs and those of others in the same field, he began to recognize the limitations of graphic design, realizing that the impact of his work was often fleeting and disconnected from the end-user experience.

“I found that graphic design could be quite disposable,” Adeniyi explains. “You’d pour your heart into a design, only to see it used for a day and then forgotten. That’s when I knew I wanted to do something more impactful, something that could truly transform people’s lives.”

This epiphany led Adeniyi to pivot his focus toward product design, a niche that allowed him to blend his technical expertise, creative flair, and deep empathy for users to create sustainable impact. He immersed himself in online courses, watched countless tutorials, and absorbed every bit of knowledge, determined to master the art of solving problems through design.

His hard work and dedication soon began to pay off when he joined Softcom, a leading technology company in Nigeria. There, Adeniyi had the opportunity to put his newfound skills to the test, working on a range of projects that spanned digital platforms and user experiences.

“At Softcom, I was able to dive deep into the world of product design,” Adeniyi recalls. “I worked on everything from a retail platform called Kwiksell to the digital banking app Eyowo. It was an incredible learning experience, and I knew I was on the right path.”

Adeniyi’s impact at Softcom was undeniable. He played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth, designing intuitive interfaces, and streamlining user experiences that unlocked new levels of engagement and revenue.

This impressive track record caught the eye of the team at M-KOPA, the fintech powerhouse that had set its sights on revolutionizing financial inclusion across Africa. When the opportunity to join the company’s global design team came, Adeniyi knew it was the perfect next step in his transformative journey. “M-KOPA was doing something remarkable – using technology and design to empower underserved communities and unlock access to life-changing financial services,” Adeniyi explains. “I was immediately drawn to the company’s mission and the chance to be a part of that scale of impact.”

As a product designer at M-KOPA, Adeniyi has contributed to shaping the user experiences that have propelled the company’s rapid growth. From designing intuitive payment flows to crafting engaging in-app experiences, Adeniy plays an important role in enhancing customer acquisition and retention across all of the company’s operational markets.For instance, his work on the app’s home screen has significantly improved customer engagement, with more users taking advantage of the company’s suite of financial services.

Adeniyi’s influence extends far beyond a 9-5. As a passionate advocate for design and technology, he has become a sought-after speaker and mentor within the African tech ecosystem. From sharing his insights at industry events to guiding aspiring designers through one-on-one mentorship sessions, Adeniyi is committed to paying it forward and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

“I’ve always believed that design has the power to transform lives,” Adeniyi says. “And that’s why I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experiences with others. I want to inspire other designers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, that a lot can happen when you start where you are There is a major challenge with learning design in Africa. While we have many low-cost learning resources available compared to 3 years ago, premium courses still cost sums that might not be affordable for entry-level designers. I believe mentorship bridges that gap.”

As Adeniyi continues to make waves in the global tech landscape, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring designers and innovators alike. From his humble beginnings as a self-taught graphic designer to his current role as a trailblazing design leader, Adeniyi’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of impact.