The year is 2009. A young girl had always dreamt of becoming a doctor, and it was finally time for her to get into university. However, things took a sharp turn, and she had to study computer science instead.

Who is the young girl? I am her, and looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. 

I’m Onyeka, a Senior Backend Engineer at Moniepoint, with over a decade of experience building systems that power digital frameworks, designing test frameworks at scale, and leading teams through high-pressure projects. But beyond the code, my journey has been one of growth, challenges, and proving myself in a field that isn’t always welcoming to women.

Stay with me as I share a bit about my career journey. 

From medicine to backend engineering 

Growing up, I was convinced I would become a doctor. I had it all planned out. But things didn’t go as expected when it was time for university admissions. Somehow, I had listed computer science as my second choice in JAMB—probably because computers were the only other things that caught my interest at the time, even though I didn’t really know what the course involved. So, instead of staying home, I went ahead with it.

In my first year, I didn’t even write a single line of code. My coursework was filled with introductory topics, but nothing that really sparked my interest. That all changed between my first and second year when I had a conversation with my dad. He told me tech was the future and introduced me to one of his friends, who mentioned something called "programming." That conversation changed everything for me.

Eager to learn, I enrolled in a Java course at a training institute. That was when I got hooked. Java became my first love. Yes, it was love at first code (I guess?)

From that point on, I knew I wanted to be a developer. While my classmates explored networking or graphics design, I was laser-focused on programming. I wanted to understand how things worked under the hood, how data flowed, and how systems connected.

I carried that passion through my industrial training, my final-year project, and into my first job. But even though I started my career in mobile development, it wasn’t long before I found my way into backend engineering.

Life after school: building at scale 

After school, I had the opportunity to work at some great institutions. Then, I joined Andela, where I gained exposure to high-quality codebases, global teams, and the structure of top-tier engineering environments. That experience paved the way for my next big leap: Microsoft.

One of my proudest accomplishments came there. I led a team that built a test framework for Windows' backup and restore feature. This system ensures that when users switch devices, their new system mirrors their old one down to the tiniest detail.

We were working on the Windows OS codebase, and it was huge, intricate, and filled with unfamiliar languages like C++ and Microsoft’s internal TEST framework. As a Java and .NET engineer, it felt like learning to code all over again, but I didn’t have the luxury of easing into it. I owned the feature and had to deliver.

I spent weeks digging into docs, reaching out to engineers globally, and ramping up fast. I wasn’t just learning for myself, I had to guide the team. And together, we delivered a system that now powers millions of devices worldwide.

That project sharpened my technical chops and taught me how to lead under pressure, adapt, and thrive in ambiguity.

Life as a senior backend engineer at Moniepoint 

Today, Onyeka is a Senior Backend Engineer at Moniepoint. Being a backend engineer means working behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. If you’ve ever made a payment, transferred money, or processed a transaction without a hitch, there’s a backend engineer making sure that happens.

At Moniepoint, my role involves designing and maintaining systems that power financial transactions. When a customer clicks “pay,” my work ensures that the payment is processed instantly, securely, and without errors. Complex integrations with banks, card processors, and various systems need to work harmoniously to make sure money moves seamlessly.

My job is to ensure that payments are processed efficiently, securely, and quickly. No one wants to stand at a POS terminal for a full minute waiting for a transaction to go through. The integrations with banks, card processors, and different financial systems all have to work seamlessly, and that’s where I come in.

What drew me to Moniepoint was the scale of impact. I had several job offers at the time, but I wanted to be part of something meaningful. Here, I could see firsthand how our technology was solving real-world problems for businesses and individuals. That was the deciding factor for me.

I joined in October 2024, and from day one, I could tell that I was in the right place. Moniepoint employees are called the “Dream Makers,” and honestly, that name fits perfectly. Every day, I work with brilliant engineers solving challenging problems, making financial services more accessible, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Being a woman in tech

I’ve lost opportunities simply because I’m a mother. Yes, you read that right! Let me tell you a story…

I once had an interview that went well until the interviewer casually asked if I had kids. The moment I said yes, the energy shifted. Suddenly, the conversation became about whether I could commit to long hours. I knew at that moment that I wasn’t getting the job, and I didn’t.

It’s frustrating because no one asks men these questions. No one assumes they’ll be less committed because they have children. But as a woman, you constantly have to prove that you can handle both. Sometimes, I challenge these biases directly. Other times, I let my work speak for itself. 

Mentorship and the power of community

Knowing the bias I’ve faced in my career, one crucial thing for me is ensuring that other women who are trying to break into tech have the guidance they need to do so. Since 2017, I’ve mentored dozens of people, especially women, looking to break into tech. From fresh graduates to pre-career teenagers, I’ve guided folks in choosing career paths, building skills, and finding their footing.

In 2018, I even launched a mobile app development class for teenage girls. Ironically, more boys showed up, but I still smile thinking about the three girls from that class who are now in tech.

I don’t do “formal” mentoring, but I check in, share resources, and ask questions that help people find their fit. Some of my mentees are now product designers, program managers, and software engineers. Trust me, mentorship matters, especially in an industry where visibility and confidence can make all the difference. For me, mentorship has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

If you’re a woman in tech… 

If I could give one piece of advice to young women considering backend engineering, it would be to find what you love and commit to it. Choose a programming language you enjoy, master it, but always be open to learning new things.

Also, make sure people see your work. Too often, we assume that our efforts will speak for themselves, but the truth is, you need to advocate for yourself. Speak up in meetings, share your ideas, and don’t shy away from opportunities.

Most importantly, never let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong. There’s space for you in tech. Take it. If you would love to work in a place where you get to see the impact of the work you do, check out Moniepoint’s career page. There might be a role for you!