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Damilola Iwaloye, our Controllership Analyst, hails from Lagos, Nigeria, where she was born and raised. Her passion for numbers and desire to make sense of financial data led her to pursue a degree in Accounting at Osun State University in Nigeria, where she obtained her BSc in Accounting. She has also acquired professional certifications in Accounting (ICAN), Management (MNIM), and Data Analytics, further honing her expertise in these fields.

She has worked in Government parastatals, real estate, corporate Finance Advisory, and the Asset Management Sector before finally joining Fintec.

Damilola shares her Cellulant journey and lets us into her personal life.

Tell us about your hobbies and interests.

I love meeting people of different minds to learn from them, which also keeps me grounded. I plan to develop myself in AI and Data Science because the idea is to work smarter. Writing poems and listening to music are hobbies I have no intention of leaving anytime soon! I dislike cruelty, and the world would be much more beautiful if we love one another hence the mantra: SEE NO HATE!

What could that be if you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life?

Jollof Rice and Plantain!  

You just can’t have enough, especially when cooked right. a blend of flavour enhancers with richly assorted proteins with different flavours and a variety of tastes, like smoky, peppery, etc. 

Who is your Favorite African Artist?

Shenseea- Shen is a Jamaican artist with a baddie attitude. Because of her accent, the wordings in her music are sometimes challenging to understand. You have to check out the lyrics online.

I love her type of music because her raps are always down to earth, relatable, sassy, unique, and funny. She is consistently delivering!

What drives you?

“Never stop learning because life never stops teaching” This constant reminder that I can do better keeps me on my toe.  As such, awareness of the environment that fosters changes and sees challenges as just another opportunity to learn and grow resonates with me.

How did you know about Cellulant?

Cellullant was referred to me by one of their employees at the time. The person recommended an employment opportunity with Cellulant. This role aligned perfectly with the skills I had acquired and was in the Fintech space to boot! So I researched and discovered it was a pan-African payment company filled with young and vibrant people and a mission statement that looks to foster growth for AFRICANS!  Who wouldn’t wanna be a part of this? It was a no-brainer.  I applied and did my best to ensure I got selected. And here I am today! So far, so good.

What attracted you to Cellulant, and what do you love most about working at Cellulant?

The Fintech Space! I was always curious about how the backend of online payment works and its ease and technological advancement. I wanted to be a part of that.

I have worked in a few places during my career, and none has the level of openness that Cellulant exhibits. The culture, the people, the environment, and most especially the attitude to work have been superb.

How long have you been in your role, and what would you say has been the most exciting part of the job?

I marked my first year with Cellulant in April.

We see firsthand the processes, technological skills, and efforts from all stakeholders put in place before a service goes live. Then comes the positive feedback from clients- It never gets old!

What’s the one problem you are solving for clients in your market? 

From the Controllership standpoint, we seek different avenues to reduce costs to the client by having discussions with several financial institutions till we find the best fit and ensure the client’s statutory requirements are appropriately remitted.

What has been the most rewarding moment?

My team takes on seemingly impossible tasks and executes them perfectly. The joy and fulfilment that comes with this accomplishment are next to none.  

What has been the most significant challenge/learning opportunity about the job?

The learning opportunity was getting a role that allowed me to put my analytical skills to good use. I was able to grow and redefine my skills to automate some activities.

A year into the job, we have made great strides in analysing raw data of over a million monthly transactions into simple information that even non-specialists would understand.

Who has been the most significant influence in your career & why?

I had several mentors along the way that have contributed in different ways to my career today. 

Most importantly, they believed in me, encouraged and challenged me, and ensured I had everything I needed to be the best version of myself. 

What do you love most about working at Cellulant?

I have worked in a few places during my career. However, Cellulant  has taught me valuable lessons and given me unique experiences that have helped me grow both personally and professionally.  

What Cellulant value does the team resonate with more?

Keep it simple, Keep it connected: The value resonates more with the team- No matter the hiccups, we must do the job as so many stakeholders depend on us. 

How do you want to be remembered?

I’ll prefer to be remembered just as I am by those who interacted with me.

What do you do during your free time to relax?

I listen to music. I have always been intrigued by the work put into making different sounds.

Where would you go and why if you could go anywhere?

Paris! I would love to walk through the Palace of Versailles and see the Eiffel Tower. 

In your own words, what does Cellulant want to do in Africa, and why is that inspirational for you?

Cellulant as a payment provider has significantly impacted great clientele and will continue to do so with its presence in many African countries. Cellulant intends to become the go-to for all payment services. This can-do attitude speaks to stability, expansion, and positive going concern. 

I would love to join a corporation offering seamless payment solutions to all needy sectors.

Parting Note

Personal Quote: “Never a failure, always a lesson.

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