This International Women’s Day we want to highlight the inspiring stories of the women who form part of the Nigerian tech community. Find out more about Grace Effiom and others on how they have been inspired to become forces in the industry. We sat down for an interview with some women that we have come across in our capacity as a fintech and had them share their insights about their past, their present and their future.
Grace Effiom
Head of Growth, Lendsqr
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your early life?
A: Looking back on my early life, I am filled with warmth and gratitude for the love that surrounded me. Growing up, my family was and is my world, and their love was my anchor in a sometimes unpredictable world. The love from my family gave me a sense of security and belonging that I carry with me to this day. And as I navigate the challenges of adulthood, I know that the love and support of my family will always be there to guide me.
Q: Can you tell us about any achievements made so far?
A: I studied Mass Communications in school, and I was beyond convinced about its importance to what I thought would be my career path. Plot twist … my current path couldn’t possibly lead me any further from the subject matter. Many years down the line, I often look back and smile wryly to myself having discovered how wrong I was. The experience of founding a fintech #Lendsqr (call me a co-founder if you like ), and executing every role apart from writing code has given me a significant understanding of the problem I’m solving.
Yeah, I have gone through Customer Success, Human Resources to Finance + Settlements, and reconciliation to Product Management to Project Management, and now Growth.
Q: Can you speak on challenges faced as a woman in tech?
A: One of the greatest challenges faced as a woman in tech is being underestimated and harassed. Unfortunately, too much emphasis is placed on gender rather than an individual’s skills and qualifications.
Q: Can you tell us about any impact you have made on your community?
A: With Lendsqr, I have helped build a platform that allows lenders to start easy but launch fast, in a cost-effective manner. At Lendsqr, I have helped over 2,000 lenders reach over 1m borrowers.
Q: Can you speak on any personal life insights?
A: I can sum this up in 4 points
*Planning is easy. Executing is everything. I know people like to talk about smart ideas, but it means nothing if it can’t be made to come alive.
*If you want to know what people really are, put them under pressure to deliver on time and within budget. Most crumble, and the best come out as diamonds. Focus under pressure is everything.
*Everyone in Lagos is mad. Especially all of us managing people.
*With so many jobless Nigerians, where are the good talents?
Can you tell us about your future plans?
A: To be known and remembered as the woman who brought joy and happiness to a billion Africans