This significant milestone underscores the company’s commitment to nurturing and developing top-tier talent within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

The closing ceremony, held this week, highlighted the achievements of the 25 bright and driven individuals who have undergone six weeks of immersive classroom training and are now poised to embark on two years of hands-on experience within Unified Payments and its subsidiaries.

These participants were selected from a competitive pool of over 3,000 applicants, showcasing their exceptional potential and dedication to excelling in the fintech industry.

The event was graced by Dr. Agada Apochi, the group managing director and chief executive officer of Unified Payment Services Limited.

In his address, Dr. Apochi congratulated the interns on their successful completion of the initial phase of the program and their formal integration into the Unified Payments system.

“We are immensely proud of what you have achieved so far, and today marks the beginning of your journey within Unified Payments. As you integrate into our organization, I urge you to embrace every opportunity to learn, innovate, and contribute to the continuous growth of our company. Unified Payments has always been at the forefront of digital and financial technology, and your role here will be crucial in maintaining that legacy of excellence,” said Dr. Apochi.

He further emphasized the importance of the Unified Payments Academy as a strategic initiative to address the talent gap in Nigeria’s fintech sector.

“The Academy is not just a training ground; it is where future leaders of the fintech industry are forged. We believe that by investing in your development, we are also investing in the future of Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. Your success here will not only shape your careers but will also drive the innovations that will propel our industry forward”, the MD/CEO said.

Dr. Apochi’s speech reinforced Unified Payments’ dedication to fostering a robust and dynamic financial ecosystem in Nigeria.

The Academy’s comprehensive program, combining technical training with real-world experience, is designed to equip interns with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the fintech industry.

As the second cohort officially joins the Unified Payments workforce, the company remains steadfast in its mission to drive technological advancement, promote financial inclusion, and build a stronger economy through the development of skilled professionals.

Starting this week, the Academy is set to groom another set of 30 bright and driven individuals who will undergo intensive training and gain industry experience.

• Selected from a competitive pool of over 3,000 applicants, the new cohort of promising individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests, will be exposed to six-week immersive classroom training delivered by industry experts, followed by two years of hands-on experience and real-world opportunities within Unified Payments and its subsidiaries.

Welcoming the interns to the organisation, Mrs. Vivian Okolo, director of Corporate Services, congratulated them on their admittance into the Academy.

“We are delighted to introduce Unified Payments and its subsidiaries to our new interns. As Nigeria’s first fintech company licensed by the Central Bank, Unified Payments has led the charge in digital and financial technology through entities like Payattitude, TM30, UP Digital, and Payrena.

“The Unified Payments Academy offers a comprehensive two-year program that will enable you to thrive in this dynamic industry. Embrace the opportunities before you, and contribute to our groundbreaking innovations,” she said.

Also addressing the interns, Mr. Sunday Oladipupo Dosumu, director of Finance and Accounts, encouraged them to maximise the privilege of being in the Academy.

“Welcome to the Unified Payments [UP] Academy. This program is a golden opportunity for you to shape your careers. Be curious, ask questions, and engage deeply with the learning process. The foundational skills you acquire here will be instrumental in building your professional journey. We look forward to seeing you grow and make a lasting impact in the fintech sector.”

Unified Payments Academy continues to embody Unified Payment Services Limited’s dedication to fostering talent and driving innovation within Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem.

By equipping interns with the necessary skills and knowledge, the Academy is not only nurturing individual talents but also contributing significantly to the overall growth of the economy.

In a country with rising unemployment rates, the Academy’s efforts are particularly impactful.

By creating a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready to enter the workforce, Unified Payments Academy is helping to mitigate unemployment and drive economic growth.

The comprehensive training and real-world experience provided by the Academy ensure that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the fintech industry, thereby enhancing their employability and career prospects.

The Academy’s inclusive and rigorous selection process ensures that only the best and brightest minds are chosen for this transformative journey.

The program not only provides technical and professional training but also instills a sense of responsibility and innovation, preparing interns to become leaders in their field.

Unified Payments Academy represents a significant investment in the future of Nigeria’s fintech industry and the broader economy.

By fostering a new generation of fintech professionals, Unified Payments is helping to build a more robust and dynamic financial ecosystem, driving technological advancement, and promoting financial inclusion.

More about Unified Payments Services Limited:

Unified Payments Services Limited is Nigeria’s premier payment technology company, known for its innovative solutions and commitment to excellence.

Owned by a consortium of leading Nigerian banks, Unified Payment Services Limited is at the forefront of driving financial inclusion and technological advancement in Nigeria and beyond.

The Academy, a first-of-its-kind program in Nigeria’s Fintech industry, aims to nurture and train top-tier professionals to bridge the talent gap currently plaguing the fast-growing industry.

Selected from a pool of over 2000 applicants, the first cohort of 25 talented individuals represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, united by their passion to drive technological evolution and solve complex problems through financial technology.

These bright minds will undergo a six-week intensive training program led by industry experts, followed by two years of hands-on experience and real-world opportunities.

Welcoming the interns to the academy, Dr Agada Apochi, the group managing director and chief executive officer of Unified Payments, stated that the academy is structured to serve not just Unified Payments as a company, but to train experts for the payment industry in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

“As Nigeria’s premier payment technology company, Unified Payments is proud to lead the charge in identifying and grooming the next generation of fintech talents,” he said.

He further spoke to the increasing demand for experienced professionals within the industry, affirming that the quality of education and experience the interns would be exposed to at the academy would equip them to deliver value in any organization they find themselves. Encouraging the interns to envision a bright future, he shared from his wealth experience, particularly speaking to his career journey which has seen him grow from a contract staff at a bank to leading Nigeria’s foremost payment technology company.

In her keynote address, Mrs. Vivian Okolo, director of Corporate Services, reiterated the organization’s commitment to excellence and encouraged the interns to fully immerse themselves in the Unified Payments ecosystem.

Mrs. Okolo highlighted Unified Payments’ position as a pioneer within the sector, with unrivaled expressions like Payattitude, Payarena, Hope PSBank, and UP Digital, underscoring the interns’ opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking innovations in the fintech industry.

Also speaking at the event, the Group Head, Human Resources of the organization, Mrs Chioma Akaniro charged the interns to make the most of their time at the academy by adopting and implementing the habits of highly effective people.

Unified Payments Academy represents Unified Payments Services Limited’s commitment to nurturing talent and driving innovation in Nigeria’s fintech landscape. The academy’s selection process is both rigorous and inclusive, ensuring that only the best and brightest minds are chosen to embark on this transformative journey.

How to join?

For more information about Unified Payments Academy and its initiatives, visit here.