In the bustling landscape of African technology, where innovation is often born from necessity, the journey of Timilehin Ayantunji stands out. His path to shaping the digital tools used by millions began not in a computer lab, but in the study of fisheries.
Today, as a senior frontend engineer, he builds the critical interfaces that power financial transactions and, with equal dedication, mentors the next generation of African software talent.
Ayantunji’s affinity for logic and numbers was evident early on, yet a career in technology seemed a distant prospect. He pursued a university degree in Fisheries at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta. His first foray into software development was challenging; an initial internship ended prematurely due to a lack of foundational knowledge.
Rather than retreating, he immersed himself in free online resources, teaching himself the fundamentals of frontend development through dedication and countless hours of study.
His perseverance soon found purpose. Securing an internship at a health technology startup during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ayantunji contributed to building urgent telemedicine features.
This experience of creating under pressure, where reliability was paramount, forged his engineering resolve. This foundation propelled him into the fintech sector, where he has since left a significant mark.
At Polaris Bank, he architected a guest bill payment feature for their digital banking platform, allowing users without an account to pay essential bills. This work directly advanced financial inclusion, boosting customer engagement and revenue.
Later, at eTranzact International, he led frontend development for PocketMoni, a mobile money solution. His work on systems for agent onboarding and commissions supports a network of over ten thousand agents across Nigeria, simplifying complex financial logic for everyday users.
Parallel to building financial infrastructure, Ayantunji commits substantial energy to building people. He recalls his own early struggles with limited access and guidance, stating, “I didn’t just need information; I needed someone to believe in me”.
He now serves as that believer for others. As the tech lead for Newbii, a platform helping newcomers enter the technology industry, and through global mentorship platforms, he provides the guidance he once sought.
His commitment is quantifiable. Through platforms like ADPList, he has conducted over one hundred one-on-one sessions, offering more than three thousand minutes of mentorship to aspiring engineers from across Africa and the world. In 2024, this dedication earned him recognition as one of the top mentors in Africa on the platform.
Timilehin Ayantunji’s story underscores a powerful narrative in Africa’s digital ascent: that transformative skill can come from unexpected places. It is a story not just of self-directed learning, but of paying that privilege forward, ensuring the ecosystem grows stronger with him.
From enabling millions to move money to empowering individuals to launch careers, his work continues to bridge gaps, both digital and aspirational.
