Ipoola Olajumoke works as a software developer at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), leveraging her expertise to build digital products across various sectors, including fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce. Her entry into the technology ecosystem represents a remarkable career pivot, having initially studied Biochemistry at the tertiary level before finding her footing in software engineering.
Her journey into the tech industry began in 2022 when she participated in an International Women’s Day event hosted by She Code Africa, a non-profit organization focused on celebrating and empowering young girls and women in tech across the continent. What started out of pure curiosity has since blossomed into a fulfilling professional path defined by software creation, continuous upskilling, and active community participation. She is currently expanding her academic and technical horizons by pursuing a master’s degree in Information Technology.
Beyond writing code, she remains deeply committed to mentorship and guiding aspiring technologists navigating their entry into the industry. Over the years, she has volunteered at numerous technology gatherings and spoken on panels, sharing practical insights drawn from her personal career transition. She maintains a strong belief in collective growth through community support, knowledge sharing, and creating opportunities for others.
How does she structure her typical mornings?
Her morning routine varies depending on whether she is working remotely or commuting to the office. On remote work days, she typically begins with an hour-long jogging session or reading a book before diving into her tasks. On office days, however, she dedicates 10 to 20 minutes to mentally preparing for Lagos traffic before heading out.
What does her workspace setup look like?
Given that she mostly works on-site, her setup is minimalist and functional. It features a standard desk, a comfortable chair, her work laptop, a notepad, and a phone stand—providing just the essentials needed to maintain productivity.
Which software tools does she rely on daily?
For development and version control, she utilizes VS Code, Cursor, and Git. She inspects user interface designs on Figma, tests APIs using Postman and Swagger, and coordinates with team members via Microsoft Teams.
How does she regain inspiration when creative block strikes?
When motivation wanes, she pauses to reflect on her foundational motivations, reviews past accomplishments, or takes a walk to clear her mind. Occasionally, she revisits notes from previously read books and places high value on the restorative benefits of a good nap.
What are her go-to mobile applications?
During weekdays, WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams are indispensable tools she cannot do without.
What innovative tech solution does she wish existed?
She envisions an intelligent career companion designed to help beginners navigate the technology landscape and seamlessly connect them with nurturing communities. Drawing from her strong belief in community power, she hopes to see a tool that recommends supportive groups, suggests learning paths, curated resources, tracks progress, and links novices to career opportunities when they feel uncertain about their next steps.
Which sector would she revolutionize with unlimited resources?
Having previously worked in the healthcare domain and witnessed firsthand the structural gaps within the Nigerian health system, she desires to deploy technology to make healthcare delivery more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric. While acknowledging that such a monumental task requires collaboration among the government, medical practitioners, and tech innovators, she aspires to contribute meaningfully to building better solutions for both patients and medical personnel.
Who are her primary sources of inspiration?
Her elder sister, Eniola Ipoola, who is also a software developer, serves as her greatest inspiration. Watching her sister's remarkable career trajectory continually reinforces the belief that ambitions are valid and that no professional height is unattainable.
What guiding philosophies shape her mindset?
While her favorite mantras evolve over time, a recent quote that resonated deeply with her is, "If nobody is coming to save you, then nobody is coming to stop you." Meanwhile, a lifelong principle that continues to inspire her is, "If you can dream it, you can achieve it."
Whose story would she like to read next?
She expressed interest in reading the career journey of Bunmi Akinremi, an artificial intelligence and machine learning engineer exploring generative AI and scalable systems. She also highlighted Zino Efeno, a Quality Assurance professional, emphasizing the importance of highlighting impactful contributions from specialists in fields that often receive less visibility within the broader tech ecosystem.