This IWD 2025, Bitnob spotlights two female engineers breaking barriers and accelerating action in tech.
The world has been talking about gender equality since before the average 18-year-old was born. Yet, at the current pace, true equality might not happen until 2158. That’s more than a century from now, which is far too long to wait.
This year’s International Women's Day theme, "Accelerate Action," is a cry to speed things up, to push harder, and to create change today, not generations from now.
The tech industry, in particular, remains one of the toughest spaces for women to break into, but that hasn’t stopped those determined to make their mark.
For us at Bitnob, innovation goes beyond the products and users of these products, it also includes the people building them. Therefore, we’re proud to have amazing women contributing to our mission of building financial solutions.
In honor of IWD 2025, we virtually discussed with two of our talented Software engineers, Munirat Olayiwola and Jennifer Ezeobi, to share with us their journeys, challenges, and how we can collectively accelerate action for women building incredible solutions.
Q: Everyone has a story about how they got into tech. What’s yours? Was there a moment when you knew, ‘This is it for me’?
Munirat: I had heard about "tech" and "programming" for a long time, but it never really crossed my mind to try it. Fast forward to 2019—I was doing my master’s degree but slowly realizing that I wasn’t truly interested in the program. Around that time, someone invited me to DevFest, and even though I barely understood half of what the speakers were saying, I found it all incredibly fascinating. That was the first spark.
I didn’t take action immediately because I was busy with my project, but then the lockdown happened. My workplace asked us to stay home for two weeks, and during that period, I stumbled upon beginner-friendly frontend development training. I applied, got in, and wrote my first HTML code—I was so excited! It felt amazing to build something, no matter how small.
When the two weeks were over, I had to return to work at the hospital, but something had changed. I did not feel any excitement doing the job again, and I just could not wait to get home to continue learning. That’s when I saw an advert for a six-month software engineering bootcamp, I decided to resign from my job and go all in.
Jennifer: I had an interest in computers in my teenage years, but honestly didn't explore it much at the time. After finishing my NYSC and bouncing between jobs I wasn't really satisfied with, a random conversation with a friend reawakened that old interest.
Something just clicked when they talked about programming, and I knew right then it was something I wanted to seriously explore.
Q: Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you had to prove yourself? How did you handle it? Especially in your career.
Munirat: Every time I walk into a room, I feel this urge to prove myself. But over time, I realized that the real challenge wasn’t just about proving my skills—it was about pushing back against the stereotype that women in tech are there because of inclusion rather than merit.
Instead of overcompensating, I’ve learned that the best way to handle situations like this is to stay confident, be well-prepared, and let my work speak for itself.
Jennifer: There have been moments in my career where I’ve been in the room with brilliant engineers, and I’m reminded of just how much more there is to learn. It reinforces the idea that learning never stops, and that’s one of the things I love most about this field.
Q: Seeing female engineers makes a difference. Have you ever had someone tell you that your journey inspired them? How does that feel?
Munirat: Yes, I’ve had people tell me that my journey inspired them, and honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding feelings.
For a long time, I didn’t realize how much representation matters until I started leading a community of women learning backend development. Seeing them push through challenges, take on projects, and grow in confidence reminds me why it’s so important to keep showing up.
It feels incredible to know that simply by doing what I love, I can help others see that they belong here too.
Jennifer: I’ve had people tell me that my journey has inspired them, and that means a lot to me. Knowing that my experiences can encourage someone else to pursue their goals gives me a deep sense of fulfilment. Whenever I hear this, I always remind them that they’re capable of achieving whatever they set their minds to.
Q: What excites you most about your role at Bitnob? Can you walk us through one or two projects you've worked on that made you especially proud?
Munirat: What excites me most about my role at Bitnob is knowing that my work actually solves real problems. I love making systems more efficient and ensuring things run smoothly, especially in fintech, where reliability is key.
I’ve had the opportunity to work on many exciting projects, but one that stands out is the Shoppa project. This feature allows users to shop from AliExpress from the app by just uploading their cart screenshot without needing a virtual card, since AliExpress was having issues with virtual card. It was great to work on a solution that made shopping easier for our users.
Another project I’m proud of is the partial plan withdrawal feature. I know how frustrating it can be when you urgently need money, but the only funds available are locked in savings. Instead of withdrawing everything, this feature lets users withdraw just what they need while keeping their savings plan active.
Seeing how these solutions make life easier for both the team and our users is what keeps me excited about my work.
Jennifer: What excites me most about my role at Bitnob is the tangible impact we’re making on people’s lives. At the core of what we do is solving remittance and payment challenges across Africa, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how the products we build change everyday experiences. For example, someone can use the Bitnob app to seamlessly handle transactions while traveling between countries.
One project I’m especially proud of is the SendGlobally feature. This allows users to send money from the US to Africa within seconds, powered by the Lightning Network. It was awesome to work with the team on this, and has been amazing to see how this innovation has brought speed and efficiency to cross-border transactions, making it easier for people to support their families and businesses across continents.
Q: This year’s IWD theme is about accelerating action. What actions do you think can drive real change for women in your field?
Munirat: As the saying goes, 'Change starts with you.' Women in tech need to see themselves beyond just inclusion on paper and recognize that they are here because they are skilled, capable, and deserving of their place.
More women need to be visible in technical and leadership roles—speaking at conferences, leading projects, and mentoring others. When women take up space in these areas, it challenges stereotypes and inspires others to do the same.
Navigating a tech career can be tough. Strong mentorship programs, supportive communities, and workplace policies that promote work-life balance can make a huge difference in ensuring women not only stay in tech but also grow.
At the end of the day, it’s about creating an environment where women don’t just enter tech—they thrive and lead. That’s how we drive real change.
Jennifer: One of the most powerful ways to drive real change for women in my field is through mentorship and sponsorship programs. Women often need both mentors to help them navigate the career path and sponsors who can open doors, push for promotions, and ensure they’re getting the opportunities they deserve.
Having these relationships can make a world of difference, especially in an industry where women are still underrepresented at the top. This support would truly help them accelerate in their careers.
Q: If all women in tech had a group chat, what’s one thing you’d drop in there right now?
Munirat: You belong here, Keep thriving. 💪🏾✨
Jennifer: Hi ladies! Always celebrate your wins, big and small🌟
Final Words
Isn't it just amazing that women across industries aren’t waiting for change; they’re already making it happen? Munirat and Jennifer are proof that talent, grit, and curiosity know no gender.
We can say for certain that we’re fortunate to have brilliant women contributing to the global solutions that we provide at Bitnob.
So, here’s to all the women building, breaking barriers, and showing up daily. We see you, we celebrate you, and we’re rooting for you. Know someone who needs to see this? Share with them.