Meet PressPayNg CEO, Abiola Metilelu (A Man of Many Hats)

The PressPayNg is an Education Finance company. The education piggy bank of parents,
guardians, students and youths across Africa, incentivizing them to save for school
fees by opening dedicated education savings accounts, access (seamless and
stressless ) single digit education/student loans.

Today we get to meet the CEO of PressPayNg.

Q.Tell us your name

A. My name is Abiola Metilelu

Q. Tell us about your education

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Lagos State University, and MBA Masterclass in Entrepreneurship from London School of Business & Finance, and MSc in Political Economy and Development Studies from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. I am a Fellow of Chartered Economists of Nigeria, Institute of Management Consultants, Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development, and Institute of Business Intelligence and Leadership Consulting. I am also a UK Certified Project Management Professional – and currently
running my LLB (Hons) Law With Business in pursuit of the nurtured ambition to
become a lawyer.

A. What type of Busines are you into?

A. I am a man of many hats. After resigning from the bank in 2009, I went into private practice in Management Consulting with HEMPAWA CONSULT and led the team for over 12 years as the Principal Consultant – with our core businesses around Project and Process Management, Human Capital
Management and Procurement Management. With a visionary zeal and a penchant for disruptive ideas and groundbreaking innovations, I co-founded PressPayNg in 2021 and transitioned into tech entrepreneurship. PressPayNg is the foremost and leading social innovation that focuses on education banking and financing solutions in Africa, solving education funding problems for parents,
guardians, students, and youths –democratizing access to education and scaling human capital development across the continent.

The PressPayNg App has become the education piggy bank of parents, guardians, students and youths across Africa, incentivizing them to save for school fees by opening dedicated education savings accounts, access (seamless and stressless ) single digit (9% p . a) education/student loans, crowdfund school fees, benefit education scholarship (from local and global donor organizations as well as individuals ), enjoy free Softskill trainings, subscribe to student-friendly health and education insurance. Your impact in the society our impact on society extends far beyond ensuring that Nigerian students have
access to quality education through our well-tailored education financing solutions, we are deeply committed to leveraging our platform and resources to foster positive change and contribute to the betterment of our society and build a community of well-rounded students that will contribute
positively to the society. it encompasses a vision of empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable progress for all Nigerian students.

One of the key pillars of our impact on society is our dedication to academic inclusion. In a country where a significant portion of the population remains uneducated and the dropout rate is skyrocketing, we recognize the importance of providing accessible and affordable education financing services to all students, parents, and philanthropists, regardless of their geographic location. Through the PressPayNg, we have been able to bridge the gap between thousands of Nigerian students and academic success, empowering millions of parents to fully fund their ward’s education.

In the last two years of operation, we have helped to flatten the out-of-school curve and education drop-out rate with close to 10,000 school fee payment counts, and about 2,000 scholarship beneficiaries from over 17,000 applications. We have successfully graduated 2 cohorts of our Free Softskill Training and created job opportunities for our Study-Work and Student Ambas sador Community, providing them workplace readiness advantage and the opportunity to earn as they learn. Our solution and corporate objecti ves are in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (4,3,5,1,9) on Quality Education, Good Health, Gender Equality, No Poverty, Industry, and Innovation.

Q. What does peace mean to you?

A. Peace to me, is not the absence of conflict but the presence of harmony, justice, mutual respect among individuals and communities, and the general ability to resolve conflict amicably. Peace means creating an environment where every Nigerian feels safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their aspirations without fear of discrimination or violence. We recognize that sustainable development is impossible without peace and stability, therefore, our work goes hand in hand with promoting peace by empowering financially unstable students with skill sets that will help them stand firm in society and contribute to the economic growth of the nation.

Q. What’s your advice for the youth; Japa is the new norm in Nigeria what’s your take?

A. In light of the recent trend of youth migration, often referred to as “Japa,” we recognize the factors driving this phenomenon. The decision of young Nigerians to seek greener pastures abroad reflects the harsh realities of unemployment, economic instability, and limited opportunities in our country. While the
allure of better prospects overseas is understandable, it is essential to acknowledge the consequences of brain drain on our nation’s development.

My advice to the youth, especially amidst the prevalence of Japa, is to remain resilient and proactive in shaping the future of Nigeria. Rather than viewing migration as the only pathway to success, I urge young Nigerians to channel their energy and talents towards driving positive change within our borders. We must work collectively by advocating for policies that promote job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. By harnessing our collective potential and fostering innovation and creativity, we can create a Nigeria where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to this nation.

Q. How can we achieve peace in Nigeria?

Achieving peace in Nigeria requires a holistic approach that addresses the underlying issues contributing to conflict and instability. Firstly, we must prioritize inclusive governance and ensure that the voices of all Nigerians, especially marginalized groups, are heard and represented in decision-making processes.
Additionally, there is a need for concerted efforts to tackle the root causes of violence, including poverty, inequality, and marginalization. Investing in education, youth empowerment, and community development initiatives can help address the underlying grievances that fuel conflict and promote social cohesion.

Fostering peace requires a commitment to justice, accountability, and respect for human rights. We must strengthen our institutions and uphold the rule of law to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held accountable, and victims receive justice and restitution. Building trust and fostering a sense of national unity among Nigeria’s diverse population starts with you and I, one person at a time. I am proud of the positive impact we have made in society and our ongoing efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and progress in Nigeria. By championing education financing solutions for all with the PressPayNg App, advocating for youth empowerment, and supporting initiatives aimed at building peace, we are contributing to the collective efforts to create a brighter and more prosperous future for all Nigerians. Together, we can overcome our challenges and realize the full potential of our great nation.

Source: African Peace Magazine