By: Bayo Akeem
In an era where user trust is the cornerstone of every digital experience, especially in finance, few Nigerian designers have embodied the mission of designing for inclusion, clarity, and impact quite like Iyabode Atoyebi.
A rising figure in Nigeria’s product design space, Atoyebi has carved a niche through her work at Bankly, one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing fintech companies. Her designs don’t just look good, they work seamlessly for the everyday Nigerian.
We sat down with Iyabode to talk about her journey, her design philosophy, and what it means to build trust one interface at a time.
“I didn’t start out knowing I wanted to be a product designer.”
“I’ve always been curious about how things work, not just technically, but how they make people feel,” Atoyebi begins. “I didn’t even know what product design was at first. I just knew I wanted to make digital products.”
Her journey into design was fueled by self-learning, mentorship, and a constant desire to solve meaningful problems. Over time, that curiosity evolved into mastery, and now, impact.
On Building Trust Through Design
At Bankly, where she serves as a product designer, Iyabode’s role is anything but cosmetic. “Every screen, every flow matters. Every interaction has to feel safe,” she explains. “We’re dealing with real people’s money, and you know that comes with responsibility.”
Designing for trust, she says, means crafting designs that feel transparent and honest. “It’s in the small things, the readable texts, smooth flows, clear feedback. If users don’t feel confident using what you’ve designed, then you’ve failed them.”
She laughs gently and adds, “I always ask, ‘Would my mom feel safe and good about this if anyone hands this to her?’ If the answer is no, I go back to the drawing board.”
On the State of Design in Nigeria
Atoyebi is passionate about growing awareness of what product design truly is and isn’t.
“People still think it’s about aesthetics, making things ‘fine.’ But product design is systems thinking. It’s aligning business goals, user needs, and technical realities into something that works. We’re decision-makers, not just decorators.”
That misunderstanding, she says, can sometimes lead to non-coders in tech being overlooked. But she’s optimistic. “The industry is evolving. We’re seeing more respect for product thinking, even from outside the design room.”
Mentorship and the Power of Community
As someone who has benefited from support along the way, Iyabode is now deeply invested in giving back. She regularly mentors younger designers, sharing not just skills but mindset.
“I always say; Start with curiosity. Stay humble. Don’t rush. Design for people, not for trends. And please, document your work.”
Her mentorship approach emphasizes soft skills as much as technical ones. “Learn how to collaborate. Learn how to communicate and defend your decisions without ego.”
Looking Ahead
As for the future, Iyabode’s eyes are set on broader impact, both in product and in people. But alongside her product work, a new interest has begun to emerge: cybersecurity.
“I want to help build strong design teams. I want to contribute to how designers are trained. And maybe someday, launch something of my own. Also, I’ve been getting more curious about cybersecurity, not just the technical side, but how it intersects with user behavior, trust, and product design,” she shares. “It’s such a critical part of the digital world, especially in the fintech, and I want to understand it deeply.”
She’s currently exploring certifications and learning paths in the field, hoping to merge her product thinking with a deeper understanding of security. “I think the future of design, especially in finance, requires us to think like security people, too. We’re not just designing for usability anymore, we’re designing for resilience.”
Her north star? “Creating products that make people feel seen and safe, that’s always the goal.”
Quiet Strength, Loud Impact
When asked what she’s most proud of, she pauses before responding: “That I never gave up, even when the room wasn’t built for me. That I showed up, stayed kind, and kept learning, no matter how loud or quiet the wins were.”
It’s a sentiment that captures the very essence of Iyabode Atoyebi, a designer whose strength lies not just in her skill, but in her intention.
And for a growing number of young Africans watching her rise, that intention is a roadmap all its own.
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