Ani of Finance shares her on Paga Conversation, enjoy this read and video!
CommsGirl: Hey Ani, thanks for accepting to talk with me today.
Ani: Of course, happy to do this.
CommsGirl: Great! Please tell me about yourself and what childhood felt like for you.
Ani: Hmmm! Childhood. For primary school, I attended Midtown international school, Akwa Ibom State and then the popular FGC, Ikot Ekpene but I finished at Rayfield International School, Uyo.
CommsGirl: Nice! those schools were the rich kid schools in Akwa Ibom, I also know the blue and white uniform for FGC. Cool, so tell me what you loved about your childhood.
Ani: (laughs) One of the things I can remember right now, was one time when my siblings and I lodged with my Dad for the very first time in a hotel. I was super excited because we could order any food we wanted and watch TV from morning till night, hahaha!
CommsGirl: I said it! Rich kid vibes. Tell me about University and post-university and now Paga, what was that journey like?
Ani: No dey whine me😂. After Secondary School, I attended Babcock University in Ogun State where I studied Accounting. After NYSC I wanted a job in Lagos, I was so eager and so I was excited that finally, I got a job and it was in Fintech, the almighty Paga. Yeah!
CommsGirl: Wow! What was it immediately after NYSC or a few months after?
Ani: No, I finished NYSC in November 2017 and then went back home and then returned to Lagos in January and started applying for jobs. It was a period of prayers for me because I had friends who started working immediately and I wanted the same. I wanted to be a corporate lady so bad😂.
CommsGirl: Okay, walk me through it. You said you returned to Lagos, were you always in Lagos?
Ani: Oh yeah! I schooled in Ogun and the closest home I had away from Akwa Ibom, was my Auntie’s house in Lagos. So, I have always been in Lagos. I think I got used to Lagos while interning in 2013 with a popular bank. I got to know the razz side of Lagos around Marina. I got to know about Balogun market, my favourite market because wow things are really cheap there! The experience helped me understand Lagos a bit, but I never got used to Lagos traffic, Oh my!
CommsGirl: The traffic, mehn!. Tell me about the difference between working in the bank and then working in fintech now.
Ani: Number one, time. Even though sometimes, work can be overwhelming, it cannot be compared to the hours bank employees have to put in. There is a lot of flexibility in Paga.
I loved my internship at the bank because it was beautiful to see people in heels and suits and just looking fancy. I still admire them but I prefer this ease I currently enjoy here at Paga. The culture at the bank is also different, there is a lot of hierarchy and that is just how it works there.
Here in Paga, I love that there is an open-door policy and that managers are not unnecessarily bossy or rude. Number two: Freedom of speech. While at the bank, I remember how nobody could use the lift if a senior manager or MD was using it at a certain time, all of that was not necessary. Some managers would even remind you of their title😂and that is why I am grateful for Paga. The atmosphere here is warm. I do not mean to work shame or disrespect bankers but If you have not experienced both sides, you will not know the freedom you have in Paga.
Ani: Well, I must admit I was lucky to have gotten Paga at the time the offer came because who knows, if it was a Bank offer, just maybe I would have taken it and adjusted.🤷♀️
CommsGirl: Girl, I am enjoying this conversation. So tell me, what has it been like working in Paga?
Omg! I was like a blank sheet when I started working here in Paga. I would watch people working and be like “… how do they know all these things?”
Ani: Omg! I was like a blank sheet when I started working here in Paga. I would watch people working and be like “… how do they know all these things?”
Ani: I’ve learned so much working on the job. There used to be a time when we used to do things manually, now, we have automated most of our processes and this has come with a lot of upskilling and taking on different roles, there is almost no role in my department that I cannot fit into. Honestly, it’s been an awesome 5 years.
CommsGirl: Whooping 5 years? Impressive!
Ani: It doesn’t feel like that sha. Initially, I found it hard to call seniors by their first names. Imagine seeing Tayo for the first time and struggling not to say “Sir” so you do not feel weird. In the bank, some people would run to go and carry a manager’s bag.😂
CommsGirl: 😂 It’s giving bondage. Alright, tell me about your most embarrassing moment in Paga.
Ani: Hmm! I can’t think of any right now.
CommsGirl: Okay, say one thing you are proud of.
Ani: The first time I was able to pay my rent by myself, I remember coming to the office and telling anyone who cared to listen that I was now a big girl. I was literally telling everyone “ I am not your mate”😂
CommsGirl: Girl, I relate!😂It is such pride to be able to take care of your bills. Cool, so let’s talk about finances. How do you navigate that?
Ani: I used to have issues with saving but I joined Paga Cooperative to the rescue! I save a large chunk of my salary and push myself hard to be able to live within my means. It is super hard but I try. I am actually proud of this!
CommsGirl: Do you want to further your studies or do professional certifications like ICAN?
Ani: Nah! I actually never wanted to study Accounting but my Dad pushed me because he himself is an Accountant. Accounting is serious, and I believe that work can be chill and also high paying. However, I am currently learning Data Analytics because it seems like the tech side of Accounting and because we work with a lot of data and I see myself earning the kind of figures I have heard that Data Analysts earn.😂
CommsGirl: I have run out of questions. Have anything you want to add?
Ani: Yeah, Initially I struggled to work with people. I used to be easily triggered, but those years have passed and I have immensely improved. Right now, I realize “everything eez not fight” and I tell myself “It’s just work” not that deep. My interpersonal skills have improved and it shows in the quality of my work. So, I would advise anyone starting out their career to build interpersonal skills, every other skill will be dependent on this one.
CommsGirl: Thank you so much Ani, I enjoyed this whole convo.
Ani: Sure, I enjoyed this too. Take care.
