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backMeet The DreamMaker is a series that spotlights the people behind the work at Moniepoint. Each week, we introduce you to a DreamMaker (as Moniepoint employees are known), sharing what they do, the impact they're making, and a few fun things you might not know about them.
Nifemi: Hi, hi, Uche, how are you doing today?
Uche: I'm doing great, thanks for having me.
Nifemi: Before we dive into the conversation, I have some warm-up questions. Would you rather have tea or coffee?
Uche: Coffee, black.
Nifemi: Would you rather be hot or cold?
Uche: Cold, it's easier to manage than being hot.
Nifemi: It actually is. Lastly, would you rather stay at home with everything you need or have the opportunity to go out?
Uche: Home, definitely.
Nifemi: Another home buddy in the group chat.
Uche: There is rice at home.
Nifemi: Lol! So glad to have you here with us. Please introduce yourself to us.
Uche: Hi everyone, I'm Uche, a Compliance Business Partner working in the Regulatory Compliance and Control team here at Moniepoint.
Nifemi: What's your day like as a Compliance Business Partner?
Uche: My day usually kicks off with a double espresso, music playing in the background, and a quick scan of overnight alerts: checking new customer onboarding screenings to ensure nothing slips past, a task that continues throughout the day.
Once that's done, I move on to Transaction Limit Requests received from customers and business relationship managers.
For example, when a customer wants to increase their transaction or daily limit, we ask for credentials to move them to the next level, let's say moving from 500,000 to 10 million, 20 million, or higher. The process involves reviewing the customer and confirming their details.
The afternoon is mostly spent keeping up with onboarding alerts, attending to escalations from other Compliance teams, brainstorming with my team to resolve identified control gaps and refining compliance processes.
I also serve as the primary Compliance contact for the business teams around the country, providing guidance and ensuring our operations stay aligned with regulatory expectations. And this is just a day when I don't have to go into FBI mode.
Nifemi: How do you manage your time during the day?
Uche: I usually just list everything I need to get done in the day, and then assign them priority designations: low, medium, high, with high, of course, being the most crucial, and then work my way down the line.
Nifemi: How long have you been at Moniepoint, and how has that been?
Uche: It's been almost a year (11 months), and honestly, it feels like I've been here much longer (in a good way). I've been lucky to have a very supportive team; they've made a lot of the hard work not seem so overwhelming. Special shoutout to Cyril, Excel, Esther, Henry, Abdulquadri, Nwachukwu, and, of course, my manager, Olamide. They've been great.
Nifemi: Glad you're having a great time here, and, of course, a special shoutout to your team!
Nifemi: Have you always wanted to do Compliance, though?
Uche: Hmmm, I think Compliance found me. So, I studied law and worked as a litigator for about seven years, after which I guess I was on the lookout for a new challenge, and compliance encompassed a lot of the elements I was already familiar with, but from a new perspective.
Nifemi: People say compliance can be boring because of the structure that comes with it. What do you do that makes the experience different for you?
Uche: So, I guess anything can be boring depending on how you look at it. For instance, a lot of people find history boring, but I love history so much that it informs pretty much all my hobbies.
Nifemi: Please indulge me. What are these hobbies?
Uche: They include, but are not limited to, historical fiction, classic films, and wine. So, I'm currently reading two novels. The first is The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory, set in late 1500s England, following three women as they navigate the political upheaval of the era. The second is The Twelfth Transforming by Pauline Gedge, set in Ancient Egypt around 1350 BC, tracing the rise to power of Pharaoh Akhenaten. When it comes to film, I define "classic" as anything released between 1929 and 1969. My most recent watch was Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954), starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. It follows a magazine photographer, laid up with a broken leg, who passes the time spying on his neighbours, until he witnesses what appears to be a murder. 10/10, highly recommended.
On wine, I've been collecting since 2013 and have been fortunate to taste close to a thousand bottles spanning different countries, styles, and vintages, all of which I've catalogued and rated. I also curate and host a wine club.
So yes, compliance can seem like pure structure and tedium, but I think there's real excitement to be found in it, depending on your approach. A healthy dose of scepticism and curiosity serves me well in both my hobbies and my work.
Nifemi: I see the balance. How can I join your club? (Asking for people who may be shy.)
Uche: We're on Instagram (thefinewineclub.ng).
Nifemi: Safe to call you a wine connoisseur?
Uche: I've always been wary of that word because it does get bandied around a lot. I prefer to see myself as an appreciator of wine.
Nifemi: Awesome. Before we end this session, what's one thing you always catch yourself doing every single day?
Uche: Dancing. I always have music playing around the house, and once I hear a good beat, I have to move.
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Like Uche, our DreamMakers bring their whole selves to work, from compliance expertise to a love of wine and classic film. Curious what it's like to build a career here? Check out our open roles HERE.
