Academy equips talents to boost employability, drive fintech growth

Unified Payments Service Limited, through its academy, has equipped young professionals with the essential skills and experiences necessary to enhance employability, drive innovation and thrive in the financial technology (fintech) industry.

Speaking during the completion of the first phase of the training in Lagos, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Agada Apochi, said Unified Payment (UP) Academy aims to build a robust ecosystem benefiting both the company and the broader fintech industry in Nigeria. He said the academy also aims to equip young professionals with the essential skills needed to thrive and fill the gap in the fintech industry.

“The inspiration for this UP Academy is about building a bigger ecosystem that will serve not only our company but our financial technology industry and the country. We invest in training young men and women to become employable beyond their academic education, ensuring they have the skills required for a career in financial technology and payment services,” he said.

Apochi explained that the academy’s comprehensive training programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.
He said the academy’s curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive training, starting with workplace ethics and leadership skills, followed by specialised fintech industry education, adding that this approach ensures that participants are well-prepared for the professional environment.

Apochi said the programme also includes a unique selection process, involving aptitude and personality tests to place individuals in roles that align with their strengths.He explained participants are trained on what it takes to be a professional in the organised private sector, how to lead, and how to navigate life after school.

Apochi said following the classroom training phase, the participants will undergo a 22-month hands-on experience in various departments within the Unified Payment Service organisation, which is crucial for them to gain real-world experience and develop a robust CV, enhancing their employability in the fintech industry both in Nigeria and internationally.

He said the training is free, while participants receive allowances throughout the programme, adding that this initiative is part of the company’s commitment to giving back to society, contributing to talent development, and increasing employment rates by ensuring that people have the skills necessary to secure jobs locally and internationally.

The Director and Group Chief Risk Officer of UP Academy, Ochanya Dan-Ugo, said the academy represents a significant step forward in addressing the talent needs and the development of Nigeria’s fintech sector, providing young professionals with the necessary skills and experience to drive innovation and growth in the industry.

Dan-Ugo highlighted the academy’s role in nurturing talents and the success of its inaugural phase.

“Today, we have succeeded in training and grooming about 27 interns specifically for the financial technology industry. Unified Payments stands by the importance of giving back to society. We have trained these individuals to be capable professionals, whether they choose to stay with us or pursue opportunities elsewhere,” she stated.