Babajide has proven himself to be an expert product manager having worked with startups in the Fintech and Logistics space in Nigeria.

We had the opportunity to speak with him to learn more about Jide’s story and his journey into the product management field.

My journey into product management wasn’t exactly a straight line. It started with a curiosity about how products are built and an eagerness to tackle practical problems and a curiosity about how items are made. I began my career working with in the fintech space, I soon saw that creating a successful product needed much more than just technical know-how; it also required a desire for continuous iteration, teamwork, and user comprehension Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to work on projects that have transformed industries, from making financial services more accessible to optimizing logistics operations. Each step has been a learning experience that has molded my approach for managing products, enabling me to concentrate on providing value rather than features alone.
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In a statement by him he said “Right from when I was a kid, I have always liked building something or finding out why something was working or not working. When the opportunity to be part of a team responsible for building something arose, it was a no brainer. Initially, I started working in a fintech for a financial services institution in Nigeria, where I was exposed to the challenges of developing products in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving industry. My role in product management wasn’t intentional at first, but I naturally gravitated toward building and optimizing products that brought value to both the business and its users. As I gained more experience, I found myself taking on greater responsibilities, from market research to user experience design, and eventually leading cross-functional teams. Then I went on to the logistics space, which required intricate operations and growing need for innovation, provided me with further opportunities to fine-tune my skills in managing product life cycles, delivering scalable solutions, and navigating the complexities of working within startups.”

“I’m excited about the continuous evolution of product management. I see myself expanding my knowledge, maybe taking on more international projects, and helping to bring about more significant changes, especially in emerging markets. In addition to continuing to create products that have an impact, my objective is to teach the upcoming generation of product managers by imparting knowledge from my experience and assisting them in navigating their own.”

“As a product manager, being able to provide significant value to people and solve real-life issues is what really drives me. I am excited about my work because I see the positive effects that a well-designed product can have, whether it’s facilitating daily tasks, enhancing accessibility to necessary services, or driving business growth. It is very satisfying to watch a product come to life from conception to completion and to see how it changes in response to customer input.

I’m also driven by the constant learning that comes with product management. Each product, market, and user base presents different issues that must be solved; doing so is both challenging and fulfilling. Working with brilliant teams from many disciplines and utilizing their insights to create something more than the sum of its parts is another important source of motivation for me. Ultimately, what keeps me inspired and concentrated as a product manager is the potential to build something that actually enhances lives.”

“For my work, participating in product management groups has been immensely beneficial. These forums provide access to a variety of expertise, from practical assistance on solving day-to-day issues to insights into emerging trends in product management. Early on in my career, they were a great source of mentorship, helping me learn from seasoned professionals and avoid common pitfalls.

My network has grown as a result of interacting with peers in these networks; I can now work with product managers in several areas and sectors. It’s a place where you can exchange experiences, get frank comments, and keep improving as a product manager.

Additionally, these communities frequently host webinars, workshops, and meetups that keep me abreast of the newest frameworks, tools, and approaches. This has allowed me to remain competitive and adaptable in an industry that is always changing. To put it simply, being a part of these networks has accelerated my learning curve, sharpened my skills, and opened doors to new opportunities.”
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“The Tech startups in Africa face several challenges, some unique and general issues as every other business in the continent. Lack of government support and policy somersaults, as the laws keep changing and it is usually tough to keep up. Sometimes these changes require changing business models, designs and pricing, which is not ideal for a business that is still trying to find its feet.

Funding is another thing as getting investors here can be a herculean task, because traditional banks are not very endeared to tech start-ups yet, at least at the incubation state. So there is always a need to rely on self-funding, many startups run on the salary of the founders and family members. Also access to reliable data is another issue, as a result you always have to improvise. Another is the infrastructure deficit, the list continues. Honestly for me, I believe in looking for ways to solving issues rather than dwelling on it.

Despite these challenges, a reasonable amount of startups have survived and are thriving as they have been able to build resilience through innovation. Most have charted their own course, different from the traditional development paths.”

“This can be one of the most challenging things as there is pressure to grow quickly, then there is also a need to keep customer satisfaction up too. As I like to say, what is the use of a great product, if customers are not using or it does not make life easy for customers.

The way I see it, satisfying customers is a means to an end and that end is growth and sustainability. In doing this I adopted high level prioritizing so nothing is overlooked or left undone. I can remember when I started at Fastryder, I immediately developed a framework that incorporated effective communication to stakeholders in order to increase collaboration. This helped to anticipate issues early, make more informed trade-offs, and maintain product quality while scaling.

Also collation and review of customer feedbacks was done for effective resolution of issues. There was also the implementation of quick small updates instead of waiting for big turnaround updates. This was to prove to customers our dependability, which is what most businesses who are our customers want.”

To up and coming managers, be opened to learning new things. Also know that no knowledge gained is a waste, the need for it will surely come in the future in one form or the other. Everybody should know that knowledge is only the beginning hence diligence, great work ethics and dependability is needed to be successful in the field.
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