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Abimbola Bajomo found product management while solving a workplace problem
The Unlikely Path to Product Management Abimbola Bajomo, a woman with a banking pedigree, never imagined she'd find success in product management.
Abimbola Bajomo, a woman with a banking pedigree, never imagined she'd find success in product management. Growing up in a household where cheque clearing and customer complaints were everyday conversations, one would think she was destined for a career in finance. But for Bajomo, that wasn't the case. Instead, she took a circuitous route, one that led her to discover her true passion.
Bajomo's fascination with the inner workings of banks started at a young age. Watching her mother work in banking operations and her uncle, brother, and even herself being involved in the industry, it's no wonder she was drawn to the field. Yet, as a teenager, she wanted to be a lawyer and applied to study Law at the University of Lagos. When that didn't pan out, she enrolled in Redeemer's University to study Sociology, a decision she made without fully understanding what the course entailed. This lack of clarity would later prove to be a blessing in disguise.
During her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2015, Bajomo was posted to the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), where she assisted a professor researching Nigeria's school feeding programme. The work demanded a level of rigour she had not encountered before, and it was here that she developed a valuable skill: attention to detail. Her professors pushed her to go deeper, and she learned to appreciate the discipline required in research. This experience would serve her well in her future career.
After completing her NYSC, Bajomo's mother encouraged her to apply for banking jobs. However, she took a different path and joined ESQ Trainings Limited as a Learning and Development Specialist in 2016. Working with a legal training organisation brought her closer to the legal profession, but it also laid the groundwork for her future career in product management. The role required her to think creatively and develop programmes for lawyers, skills that would later translate to product development.
In hindsight, Bajomo's journey to product management seems almost inevitable. Her experience in research and development, combined with her creative thinking, made her a natural fit for product management. But what's striking is that she didn't set out to become a product manager. Instead, she discovered her passion through her work and the challenges she faced. This is evidence of the power of following one's curiosity and being open to new experiences.
For Bajomo, product management is about solving problems and creating solutions that meet the needs of users. Her background in sociology and research has given her a unique perspective on the world, one that allows her to approach problems from a human-centred angle. This approach has served her well in her career, and it's clear that she's found her true calling.
As the demand for product managers continues to grow, I predict that more individuals will take a similar path to Bajomo's. They'll come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives and experiences that will bring a fresh approach to product development. And for Abimbola Bajomo, her journey is evidence of the power of following one's curiosity and being open to new experiences.
As she continues to excel in her career, one thing is certain: Abimbola Bajomo's path to product management is a reminder that success often lies in the unlikeliest of places.
