The inaugural session of Unified Payments Academy, a pioneering talent development initiative by Unified Payment Services Limited, marked the beginning of the academy’s journey with 25 interns hailing from various parts of the country. This exclusive program, the first of its kind in Nigeria’s Fintech industry, has the goal of nurturing and preparing highly skilled professionals to address the current talent gap in this rapidly expanding sector.
Handpicked from a vast pool of over 2000 applicants, the diverse first cohort of 25 individuals brings a mix of backgrounds and experiences, all driven by their shared enthusiasm for driving technological innovation and tackling complex challenges through financial technology. These talented individuals will undergo an intensive six-week training module guided by industry veterans, followed by a two-year immersive experience with real-world opportunities.
In a warm reception for the interns, Dr Agada B. Apochi, the Group Managing Director and CEO of Unified Payments, emphasized that the academy is not only geared towards benefiting Unified Payments but also towards grooming industry experts for the payment sector in Nigeria, Africa, and globally. Dr. Apochi expressed pride in Unified Payments’ role as Nigeria’s leading payment technology firm, taking the lead in identifying and developing the next wave of fintech talents.
Highlighting the escalating demand for seasoned professionals in the industry, he assured that the high-quality education and hands-on exposure the interns will gain at the academy will prepare them to add significant value to any organization they choose to work with. By sharing insights from his personal career journey, which saw him rise from a contract staff at a bank to heading Nigeria’s prominent payment technology company, he encouraged the interns to envision a promising future for themselves.
During her keynote speech, Mrs. Vivian Okolo, the Director of Corporate Services, reiterated the organization’s dedication to excellence and urged the interns to fully engage with the Unified Payments ecosystem. Mrs. Okolo underscored Unified Payments’ pioneering status within the sector, citing cutting-edge offerings like Payattitude, Payarena, Hope PSBank, and UP Digital, and emphasized the interns’ potential to contribute to groundbreaking innovations in the fintech field.
Additionally, Mrs Chioma Akaniro, the Group Head of Human Resources, urged the interns to maximize their time at the academy by adopting and implementing habits of highly effective individuals.
Unified Payments Academy is a testament to Unified Payments Services Limited’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering innovation in Nigeria’s fintech landscape. The academy’s meticulous and inclusive selection process ensures that only the most exceptional and brightest candidates embark on this transformative journey.
For further details about Unified Payments Academy and its programs, kindly visit www.up-ng.com
About Unified Payments Services Limited:
Unified Payments Services Limited stands as Nigeria’s foremost payment technology firm, renowned for its inventive solutions and unwavering commitment to excellence. Owned by a consortium of leading Nigerian banks, Unified Payments Services Limited spearheads financial inclusion and technological progress in Nigeria and beyond.