Odunayo Eweniyi is a Nigerian entrepreneur, tech executive, and activist. She is the Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer PiggyVest and co-founder of Feminist Coalition.Odunayo is the first child of two professors. She hails from Oyo state Nigeria and was born on December 23, 1993, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
ODUNAYO EWENIYI’S EDUCATION AND EARLY CAREER
Eweniyi graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Engineering from Covenant University in 2013. Initially aspiring to be a doctor, her fascination with computers, sparked by her father’s early purchase of one, led her to pursue a career in technology.
Shortly after graduation, Eweniyi founded PushCV with Somto Ifezue and Joshua Chibueze, a job-matching platform designed to connect job seekers with employers efficiently. This venture aimed to address the high unemployment rates in Nigeria by streamlining the recruitment process.
During this period, she also explored other entrepreneurial endeavors, including 500Dishes, a food delivery service, and 99Staff, an outsourcing startup. These experiences, though challenging, provided her with valuable insights into the startup ecosystem.
ODUNAYO EWENIYI’S MAJOR LIFE EVENTS
In 2016, inspired by a viral tweet about a woman saving money in a wooden box, Odunayo and her co-founders launched PiggyVest. The platform digitized the traditional saving method, offering users a secure and automated way to save and invest money. PiggyVest has since become one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies, revolutionizing personal finance management in the country. In Fact there is a running joke about you never know a Nigerian woman has money until you see her PiggyVest.
ODUNAYO EWENIYI’S PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Odunayo Eweniyi’s career is a testimony to her entrepreneurial spirit and resilience in Nigeria’s tech industry.
She is best known as the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of PiggyVest, a popular Nigerian fintech platform that helps people save and invest money more efficiently.
In 2018, Odunayo won the Future Awards Africa Prize in Technology. In 2019, she was on Forbes Africa 30 under 30 Technology list. She was named as one of 30 Quartz Africa Innovators for 2019. Also in 2019 she was awarded SME Entrepreneur of the Year – West Africa by The Asian Banker’s Wealth and Society for her impactful work with PiggyVest.
In 2020, Odunayo was featured among innovators and leaders shaping the global business landscape on Bloomberg 50. She was nominated for The Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of The Year in 2020.
She Co-founded Feminist Coalition to advocate for gender equality and social justice in Nigeria.
In 2022, Forbes Woman Africa Technology and Innovation Award recognized her for her innovative contributions to technology. Also in 2022 she was selected as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst. As part of the program, she attended the annual New Economy Forum held in Singapore, and the Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst Retreat that same year.
In 2021, She Co-founded First Check Africa a female-led angel fund to invest in early-stage, women-led startups across Africa, aiming to bridge the gender funding gap in tech.
Odunayo Serves on the board of Village Capital a global venture capital firm that supports impact-driven, seed-stage entrepreneurs.
ODUNAYO EWENIYI’S PERSONAL LIFE
Odunayo Eweniyi is the eldest of four children in a family deeply rooted in academia; both her parents were university professors.Her father, Prof. G. B. Eweniyi, and her mother, a professor and businesswoman.
ODUNAYO EWENIYI’S LEGACY AND IMPACT
Odunayo Eweniyi has significantly influenced Nigeria’s fintech landscape, championed gender equity in technology, and driven social change through innovative ventures and advocacy.
As the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of PiggyVest, Nigeria’s leading digital savings and investment platform, Eweniyi has transformed how Nigerians manage their finances. She is focused on promoting equality for women in Nigerian society, with core areas including education, financial freedom, and representation in public office using the Feminist coalition.
Odunayo Eweniyi’s multifaceted impact spanning fintech innovation, women’s empowerment, and social advocacy continues to inspire and drive progress within Nigeria and across Africa.
CONCLUSION
Odunayo Eweniyi has established herself as a leading figure in Africa’s fintech and startup ecosystem through her innovative ventures and commitment to social impact. She stands as a powerful force in Africa’s tech and entrepreneurial landscape. Her journey reflects a rare blend of innovation, resilience, and purpose.
Leave a Reply