By Eniola Daniel
Gabriel Abhulimen’s journey from customer service to product leadership is a testament to the power of data, empathy, and mentorship. As he continues to drive innovation at Iobyte Solutions and shape the next generation of Product Managers, his influence in the FinTech and product management space is only set to grow.
Abhulimen has established himself as a leading voice in FinTech and product management, currently serving as Product Lead at Iobyte Solutions Limited.
From customer support to product strategy leadership—it demonstrates the power of adaptability, continuous learning, and user-driven innovation. In this in-depth conversation, Gabriel shares his insights on data-driven decision-making, product development methodologies, and the role of mentorship in shaping the future of FinTech.
With a strong foundation in product strategy, user experience, and market-driven innovation, Gabriel has led high-impact initiatives transforming digital payment solutions. His contributions extend beyond product development; he is also a mentor, educator, and thought leader dedicated to empowering the next generation of product managers.
Your journey from customer care to product management is unique. How has that experience shaped your approach to building products?
My background in customer care has been fundamental to my success as a product manager. Being on the front lines, and interacting directly with users, exposed me to their pain points in real time. I heard firsthand what they loved, what frustrated them, and what they needed to enhance their experience. That perspective helped me develop a deep sense of empathy, which is a key attribute of any great product manager.
When building products, I don’t just think about features—I think about solutions. Every feature we introduce must address a genuine user need. User feedback should never be an afterthought; it should be the foundation of every product decision. That’s why, even as a Product Lead, I still prioritize customer interaction, feedback loops, and usability testing to ensure our products are intuitive, efficient, and impactful.
Can you elaborate on how data informs your decision-making?
Data is the backbone of every decision I make. While intuition and experience play a role, product decisions should always be backed by data-driven insights. At Patricia and now at Iobyte Solutions, I’ve implemented real-time metrics dashboards that track key performance indicators (KPIs), enabling us to make informed decisions about product improvements.
For instance, when we noticed a drop in transaction success rates, the data allowed us to pinpoint the exact stage of failure in the user journey. This led to process optimizations that boosted successful transactions by 30% within a few months.
However, data alone is not enough. Data tells us the “what,” but it’s the “why” that leads to meaningful product evolution. That’s why I combine quantitative insights with qualitative research—analyzing numbers while also conducting user interviews, heatmaps, and usability testing to ensure we truly understand the motivations behind user behaviors.
You played a pivotal role in launching “FastPay” at Iobyte Solutions. Can you share the story behind that feature?
FastPay was designed in response to a clear user need. When I joined Iobyte Solutions, one of the first things I did was analyze transaction data and user feedback. A recurring trend stood out—users wanted faster payments with minimal delays.
We started by mapping out the user journey and identifying friction points in transaction processing. Our findings revealed that optimizing the backend transaction framework could significantly reduce processing times. FastPay was developed to address this gap, and within three months of launch, over 60% of users had adopted the feature, with transaction times reduced by 50%.
This success reinforced my belief that great products are built when you listen to users and translate their needs into actionable, data-driven solutions.
Beyond product development, you are highly involved in mentorship. Why is this important to you?
Mentorship is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. When I transitioned into product management, I faced a steep learning curve. Resources were limited, and I often had to figure things out on my own. That experience made me realize how valuable guidance can be for aspiring product managers.
This is why I actively mentor and create resources to support the next generation of product leaders. I have written two eBooks—”The Role of User Experience in Product Management” and “The Role Data Plays in Driving User Experience for a Product”—both designed to equip professionals with the knowledge they need to excel.
Additionally, I run a User Experience Bootcamp for Product Managers, where I teach data-driven product development, user research methodologies, and effective stakeholder communication. My goal is to help others avoid the struggles I faced and accelerate their growth in the field.
What is the core lesson you emphasize in your mentorship programmes?
The most important lesson I teach is that data and user experience are inseparable in product management. Many product managers focus heavily on numbers but overlook the human side of product development.
I encourage my mentees to see data as the voice of the user. Every metric—whether it’s churn rate, retention, or engagement—represents a real user experience. When you approach data with empathy and a deep understanding of user needs, you make better, more impactful product decisions.
Your latest eBook expands on product management methodologies. Can you tell us more about it?
My latest eBook, “Beyond Agile – The Future of Product Management Methodologies,”explores emerging frameworks that are shaping the next generation of product development. While Agile has been a dominant methodology, the rapid evolution of technology demands more flexible, hybrid approaches.
In this book, I analyze:
● The limitations of Agile in modern product development
● New hybrid methodologies that combine Agile, Lean, and AI-driven strategies
● How companies can adopt a future-ready approach to product innovation
It has been well-received within the product management community. It remains one of the most valuable resources I share during speaking engagements and mentorship sessions.
Looking back, what was your biggest challenge in product management?
One of my most challenging moments was early in my career when I worked as a Customer Experience Analyst. I had compiled a detailed report highlighting critical product issues based on customer feedback, but getting senior executives to take action was difficult.
It took persistence, data-backed storytelling, and clear impact projections to secure buy-in. That experience taught me the importance of stakeholder management—presenting insights in a way that resonates with executives and aligns with business objectives.
Now, whenever I advocate for product changes, I ensure that I translate data into compelling narratives that drive decision-making.
What has been your most rewarding experience?
Seeing real user impact is the most rewarding part of my career. The success of FastPay at Iobyte Solutions was a major highlight, but what excites me even more is watching my mentees thrive.
When participants from my Bootcamp come back and tell me they’ve landed product management roles, led successful launches, or improved their company’s UX strategies, it reinforces why I invest in mentorship. Their success is a testament to the power of shared knowledge and community-driven growth.
Where do you see FinTech heading in the next five years, and what role do you hope to play?
FinTech is evolving toward more inclusive and personalized solutions. Digital payments, in particular, are becoming an essential part of everyday life, and the future lies in making financial tools accessible to everyone, regardless of location or financial background.
At Iobyte Solutions, my focus is on expanding financial inclusion and developing secure, seamless, and intelligent payment solutions. In the years ahead, I hope to lead industry-wide innovation that ensures financial technology is truly built for everyone.
