Stephanie Mbara’s experience as an information security intern at PalmPay has changed her understanding of how digital financial services protect customers, highlighting the role of practical training and mentorship in preparing young women for careers in technology.

Mbara joined the fintech company through the third edition of its Purple Woman Programme, which provides young women with practical skills, professional mentorship and exposure to career opportunities in technology and other fields.

Women remain under-represented in Nigeria’s technology sector, making initiatives that provide access to training and workplace experience important in helping more women build careers in the industry.

The Purple Woman Programme has attracted more than 1,000 applications, with 100 women selected for an intensive three-day masterclass and 10 participants progressing to six-month internship opportunities at PalmPay.

For Mbara, the internship offered an opportunity to move beyond theoretical knowledge and gain first-hand experience in information security.

During the programme, she learnt how to identify potential risks, monitor unusual activities and understand the processes used to prevent security incidents.

She also discovered that information security involves more than responding to threats; it requires constant vigilance, teamwork and proactive measures to protect customers and their data.

“My experience at PalmPay through the Purple Woman 3.0 programme completely changed how I understand information security. I learnt that it goes beyond protecting passwords and private information; it is also about identifying risks, preventing threats and taking proactive steps to protect customers, their information and their money,” she said.

The experience also gave her a practical understanding of the principles behind PalmPay’s Dey For You security campaign, which encourages customers to take an active role in safeguarding their accounts.

Through its PalmPay Security Centre, the company provides security tools designed to help customers exercise greater control over their accounts and respond to potential risks.

Beyond the technical skills she acquired, Stephanie said working alongside experienced colleagues helped her build confidence and appreciate the responsibilities that come with a career in information security.

PalmPay Nigeria’s Chief Information Security Officer, Paul Oludele, said developing young professionals was important to protecting customers and sustaining trust in digital financial services.
“At PalmPay, information security is central to protecting our customers and maintaining trust in digital financial services.

Programmes like Purple Woman give young talents the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and understand how their skills can contribute to this responsibility,” he said.

Oludele added that Mbara ’s experience demonstrated the value of combining practical training with mentorship to prepare the next generation of professionals for the demands of a safer digital financial ecosystem.

For Mbara, the internship provided more than technical knowledge. It offered practical workplace experience, strengthened her professional confidence and gave her a clearer direction for her career.

Through the Purple Woman Programme, PalmPay seeks to help young women translate their interest in technology into practical skills and workplace opportunities.

Mbara’s journey illustrates how mentorship and hands-on experience can help shape career aspirations while supporting greater inclusion and developing future talent for the technology and information security sectors.