16 || March || 2024
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#Issue 60
How Bukola Osuntuyi went
from acting to tech
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Hello ET people
Today’s guest shared a photo of her, in character, sitting on a horse, back in her university days.
You’re probably wondering how this “Queen Amina of Zazzau” successfully switched into the tech industry. She’s guest-authored this edition #EnteringTech
to tell you all about it, in hopes that it will inspire you. Let’s go!
by Timi Odueso & Faith Omoniyi
From acting to tech
Bukola Osuntuyi wasn’t initially drawn to theatre arts, but looking back, it was the perfect choice at the time. The programme equipped her with invaluable skills for the business world, she says. From emotional intelligence and interpersonal relations to critical thinking and teamwork, the curriculum honed her into a well-rounded professional. Public speaking, another key takeaway, is a major asset these days. It all adds up to a win for Bukola.
She moved to Lagos for a one-year corp programme after graduating from A.B.U. Zaria, and later got into tech through a childhood friend, Benjamin Owobu, who persuaded her to apply for a customer experience role at Konga.com.
That was back in 2012, and she was hearing about Konga for the first time. As she researched the company, she stumbled on a CNN interview with Sim Shagaya, the founder and ex-CEO of Konga, and that birthed the beginning of her love for tech startups. She then applied for the role and was offered a job in the Customer Experience Department.
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Her experience with the customer experience team at Konga helped her understand platform usability, e-commerce operations, and the customer journey.
Her experience with the customer experience team at Konga helped her understand platform usability, e-commerce operations, and the customer journey.
With these skills, she was promoted to a supervisory role in less than two years. But Bukola wanted more.
So she started to enhance her technical, design, and analytical skills. Starting with Excel basics and fueled by online learning, Bukola mastered advanced functions, impressing her manager with customer feedback analysis and NPS reports for executives, launching her tech career ascent.
Bukola’s technical and cognitive skills facilitated her transition to the fintech industry, where she was hired by Adia Sowho, Migo’s former managing director.
Under Sowho’s guidance, Bukola was able to expand Migo’s customer support team and shape the customer experience by collaborating closely with the IT, data science, and marketing departments.
Turning a layoff around
Everything was going well; she was leading a team of support champions and learning more about the fintech industry. Then COVID hit in 2020, and she found herself out of a job.
A five-month job search can be daunting. But instead of dwelling on the gap, Bukola took a proactive approach. She used this time for self-reflection, evaluating her career path and identifying ways to solidify her value in the tech industry. Here are eight strategies she says she implemented:
- Became a certified customer success manager through the Success Hacker Institute and transitioned to customer success, working with software companies.
- Engaged in self-directed learning and explored books like “The Lean Startup,” “Chief Customer Officer,” and “Developing the Leader Within You.”
- Consumed educational content through YouTube videos, TEDx talks, and podcasts.
- Accepted unfamiliar roles and projects and learned on the job.
- She increased her network by connecting with professionals on LinkedIn.
- Became Director of Operations in a Fintech Startup
- Started mentoring customer service professionals, aiding their growth and transition to both tech and non-tech roles.
- Enrolled in and completed a Master’s Programme in Business and Management in the United Kingdom to expand her knowledge of business.
In 10 years, Bukola progressed from a customer service agent handling varied customer reactions to a business operations leader in IT and financial services. She’s built teams, executed strategies for technology companies, fostered startup cultures, authored financial policies, managed organisational performances, optimised business processes, collaborated with IT executives, hired diverse talents, represented organisations at conferences, and organised global company retreats.
The role of a business operations professional is crucial in shaping tech organisations and fostering an optimal working environment.
As the new year begins, perhaps your goal for 2024 is getting into tech; it is 100% achievable even without having a technical background. To become a leader, particularly a female in the tech startup industry, Bukola says you need the right skill set, determination, innovative mind, and courage—akin to Queen Amina leading a male-dominated battlefront.
Bukola Osuntuyi is passionate about contributing to African tech startups by exploring innovative and strategic ways to foster business sustainability. You can connect with her on LinkedIn at Bukola Osuntuyi and Facebook at Bukola Osuntuyi.
Opportunities
- In partnership with Spurt!, Oui Capital is hosting the 2nd edition of the African Amazon Masterclass for female founders taking bold steps to build & execute on the African continent. Apply by March 18
- In collaboration with AfriGloCal VC, a venture capital firm building the African future by investing in entrepreneurs with global perspectives and innovative solutions, Lagos Innovates unveils its latest initiative, the Female Founders & Funders Program, an incubation and acceleration program designed for women. Female Startup Founders, apply here. Female Funders/Angel Investors, apply here.
- As the world marks the 2024 International Women’s Day, Moniepoint Inc has announced the launch of this year’s edition of the Women-In-Tech initiative. Ten women will take on roles in various teams that include Cloud Engineering, Backend Engineering, Technical Product Management, Data Engineering, Systems Administration, Technical Support and User Experience. These women will be provided with a salary, work tools, merch, the opportunity to work on live projects during the internship and an offer of full-time employment depending on assessment post-internship. Apply by March 17.
- The Corporate Social Responsibility arm of MTN Nigeria, MTN Foundation has opened applications for phase two of its “Yellopreneur” initiative, through which it intends to offer 150 female entrepreneurs with ₦3 million each as loans to boost their businesses. Apply by March 30.
- Applications are open for the Access Bank Youthrive Program for Nigerian MSMEs. The program is a collaboration between the bank and the Vice President’s office, dedicated to empowering individuals and MSMEs. With a focus on capacity development, financial empowerment, and business exchange, the program aims to impact 4 million youths over the next four years. Apply here.
- The 2024 African Business Heroes Competition is open for application. It aims to identify, support, and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their local communities, working to solve the most pressing problems, and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future. Finalists get grant funds of up to $300,000, global recognition and exposure and targeted and practical training programs. Apply by May 19.
Jobs
- LemFi- Senior IOS Engineer – Nigeria (Remote)
- Paystack – Design Manager – Nigeria (Remote)
- Bamboo – Communications Associate – Lagos, Nigeria (Hybrid)
- Paystack – Senior Backend Engineer – Cape Town, South Africa
- LemFi – Country Marketing Manager – Kampala(remote)
- Visa – Biz Dev Analyst – Lagos – Nigeria
- Renmoney – Product Manager – Lagos, Nigeria
There are more jobs on TechCabal’s job board. If you have job opportunities to share, please submit them at bit.ly/tcxjobs.
Disclaimer: TechCabal is not affiliated with or associated with jobs and opportunities listed on all its job boards and newsletters. All applicants bear the responsibility of researching about the roles and companies they apply to.
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I am the CEO of 9JAGISTLAND.My name is Adedeji Timothy and my co-owner is Oyekola Damilare.This blog is born out of our passion to educating to people in all aspect of internet life.We are enthusiastic about writing posts and articles online.
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