There are active people and there are people actively doing the job. You say those are two different kinds of people, we affirm it. Also, there are people who do more than just their jobs. Talk about, ‘what is worth doing…’ These set of people are the kind of bright minds Share of Voice reaches out to – to connect with them and to share their stories. Previously, we have sat with Arinola Adeniyi (Venivici), Bayo Adedeji (Wakanow), Wale Ekundayo (Cerebre Digital), Olajumoke Bolu-Kujero (Jumia), Terver Bendega (Bolt) and other individuals who lit up any room they walk into.

And now…Ladi Ogunseye. The one whose work speaks for him. Let’s say what we know about him first.

He is a Marketing Manager at PalmPay, whose interests range from financial technology to smartphone technology…let him tell us the rest.

Ladi’s experience in the Marketing industry

I have been active in the marketing industry for the past seven (7) years. I started out in marketing as a blogger, curating stories on a blog and managing its social media pages, practising online ads creation and other skills as well. I worked on communications for a couple of projects as well and got a full-time role as a Media and Public relations lead at a travels and tours agency. I moved to CP-Africa, an international platform curating development events happening to African nations as a strategist, and a search engine optimisation analyst. I then moved to TECNO Mobile where I was in charge of marketing and communications efforts for a couple of years, and from there to PalmPay, where I currently work leading marketing efforts in Nigeria. All these are full-time engagements while I had private consulting engagements on the side as well. 

Adjustments in PalmPay – with customers in view

With its reputation as a multinational company, PalmPay has always leveraged technology to achieve efficiency irrespective of time zones. However, the outbreak of COVID19 has given us a different perspective on the evolution of the needs of our customers, and we recently launched a free money transfer program that allows customers to transfer money at no cost. We have also introduced contactless payments at merchants or sellers point, while also launching a ₦100 million support fund to fight against the novel coronavirus. For our staff, not much change is happening as we began working from home in March to curtail the spread as well. 

A downward spiral in PalmPay’s finances post-pandemic? 

Not at all, as PalmPay raised $40 million in 2019 that has helped us launch our brand into the Nigerian market, and while COVID19 is a global pandemic affecting all businesses, I do not foresee a downward spiral of our finances, when this is over as consumer payments is an essential need. As many are in their homes currently, they still make payments such as airtime purchase, TV payments, money transfer and others.  

Challenges and subsequent successes

One key lesson I have learned professionally is that never stop, never settle –  a famous line from a TV commercial I watched way back. I have been faced with challenges that have excused me to stop and take a break or even give up, but that quote always resonates in my head. At some point in my professional journey, I have had to deal with inhumane work conditions, time management, the desire to grow, chasing a vision and many others to state a few, and overcoming these challenges have always taken me a step further in my professional career. 

Using Harry Potter’s wand, Ladi wants to…

I think the first change I would like to make in the marketing industry is weeding out charlatans who trivialise the role of marketing in a company’s growth. Another would be Artificial Intelligence becoming the norm in Nigeria as it would enable real-time and personalised experiences for consumers.  

What do you expect from Ladi as a new decade begins?

As the decade begins, I am motivated and inspired to solve problems in the logistics space in Africa as we know that African logistics has not been cracked yet. As an individual, I believe that logistics is the key to the success of e-commerce in Africa and once we can get logistics right, lots of e-commerce businesses would thrive unlike what we are currently seeing right now. 

Any other expressions? 

Yes, I am a lover of sports. I am a goalkeeper. I love languages as well. I speak French and a basic mandarin and looking to master more languages as well. 

When he is not working

I watch movies and sports and I listen to a lot of Nigerian music. 

What we don’t know about Ladi

Contrary to what many people think, as hardworking as I am, I sleep for approximately 6- 8 hours daily.