Let’s Meet You (Your Name, What You Do, And Where You Currently Work). 

My name is Faith Oluwabunmi Olaiya. I'm a certified product manager actively involved in tech projects. Currently, I serve as a director at the Lagos branch of Toplad Schools, a non-profit institution that is actively contributing to fulfilling SDG4 by providing quality education and opportunities for learners in the community.
 

How Long Have You Been in the Product Management Space and Why Product Management?

I've been in the product management space for over two years. I was initially in the digital marketing role but was drawn to product management due to its dynamic nature and the opportunity it provides to shape innovative solutions that directly impact users' experiences. 

It's a field that aligns well with my passion for creating meaningful tech products.
 

You were a Beneficiary of the Binance Charity Scholarship Program with Utiva, could you please tell us how impactful it has been and how it has affected you positively? 

The Binance Charity Scholarship Program through Utiva has been incredibly impactful on my journey. It has not only provided financial support but also opened doors to quality education and mentorship. 

This opportunity allowed me to gain valuable skills in product management, contributing significantly to my professional growth. The positive effects extend beyond education, fostering a sense of community and empowerment in pursuing impactful tech initiatives.
 

You participated in a hackathon program after your learning program at Utiva and came out victorious, could you please tell us how you were to make that happen?

Participating in the hackathon after my learning program at Utiva was a combination of applying the skills acquired. The success with PhishSense was a result of collaborative teamwork, creative problem-solving, and effective project management. 

We had to deliver the product in less than two weeks. We approached challenges strategically, leveraged our collective strengths, and maintained a clear focus on the end goal. Thankfully, it resulted in our success and my team won a grand prize of $500.

Tell us more about the product that you delivered at the hackathon that you did & won $500

As the name suggests, it's designed to detect phishing attacks, a prevalent form of cybercrime with approximately 3.4 billion phishing emails sent daily. PhishSense is a website application that provides users with a tool to validate the legitimacy of links across different social media platforms, ultimately bolstering online security and fostering trust among users. Winning $500 at the hackathon was not just a victory for me but a testament to the importance of addressing cybersecurity challenges.

What Are The Challenges You Face as a Product Manager?

As a product manager, challenges often revolve around prioritizing features and managing tight timelines. Communication is crucial, and aligning everyone on the product vision can be challenging. 
 

Additionally, staying adaptable in a rapidly evolving tech landscape and ensuring the product meets user needs amidst changing requirements are ongoing challenges. It's a dynamic role that requires constant learning and flexibility.
 

As the Director of Toplad School in Lagos, how do you manage to combine that role with being a product manager? 

Combining the role of Director at Toplad School in Lagos with being a product manager involves effective time management and delegation. I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact, utilizing organizational skills to streamline processes. In my role as the Director of Toplad School in Lagos, I leverage my experience and skills in product management to enhance the school's offerings. 

This involves overseeing the development and implementation of innovative educational solutions, a task made more efficient through my background in product management. Specifically, I am currently involved in the ideation phase of an EdTech app for Toplad, aiming to revolutionize our educational approach and provide a tech-driven platform for enhanced learning experiences. 

This dual role allows me to integrate the principles of effective product management into the educational sector, ensuring that Toplad remains at the forefront of innovative and impactful teaching methodologies.
 

You currently run a tech community called “Betechified”, what is the inspiration behind that community and what is your long-term vision for it?  

Like I told a friend, I just want to be involved in people’s success stories. For a while, I noticed I was the one people around me asked whenever they needed a scholarship and other opportunities and somehow I always stumbled upon these opportunities. Many of them are now in the tech space. 

I thought of many others who need such opportunities but may not have access to it for one reason or the other. The inspiration behind "BeTechified" stems from a desire to empower newcomers by providing access to tech scholarships and opportunities. 

The long-term vision for BeTechified is to evolve into an empowering institution, providing scholarships, laptops, and essential resources to newbies, and fostering their journey in the tech space. The aim is to create a sustainable platform that significantly contributes to educational opportunities and advancement in the tech industry.
 

What Was Your Highest And Lowest Point Since You Started Your Journey as a Product Manager?

 My highest point as a product manager was winning the grand prize at a hackathon with the product PhishSense. It showcased the culmination of skills and efforts, validating the effectiveness of our approach. On the flip side, a challenging moment was when a front-end engineer unexpectedly became unavailable during a critical moment of the project. 

This underscored the significance of team reliability and prompted me to implement more robust contingency plans to ensure project continuity in the face of unforeseen challenges.
 

What Do You Aim To Achieve In The Next 12 Months In Relation To What You Currently Do in Tech?

 In the next 12 months, I aim to further solidify “BeTechified” as a prominent tech community, expanding its reach and impact. 

Professionally, I plan to lead successful product launches, leveraging my product management skills to contribute meaningfully to innovative tech projects.

 Additionally, I aspire to foster stronger collaborations within the tech community, enhancing both personal and collective growth in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
 

What major role did Utiva play in your Journey in becoming a Product Manager? 

Utiva played a pivotal role in my journey to becoming a product manager. The comprehensive learning program provided me with essential skills, industry insights, and a solid foundation in product management. 

The Binance Charity Scholarship through Utiva not only eased the financial burden but also opened doors to valuable networking opportunities and mentorship. Utiva's commitment to practical, hands-on learning significantly contributed to my confidence and competence in navigating the challenges of the product management space.
 

Faith Olaiya hails from Okeimesi, Ekiti state. A graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Over the years, she has been actively involved in the educational sector, teaching both full-time and part-time while pursuing her undergraduate studies. 

In her journey, she has taken on leadership roles in the community, church, and school. She ventured into the tech space and is contributing to projects, winning hackathons, as well as  founding a tech community called: "BeTechified."

 Her story reflects a blend of educational prowess, leadership acumen, and a passion for leveraging technology to make a positive impact.
 

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