Odunayo Eweniyi is a leading Nigerian entrepreneur, fintech leader, and advocate for women’s rights. She is best known as the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of PiggyVest, Nigeria’s largest digital savings and micro-investment platform, boasting over 4.5 million users. Eweniyi has significantly transformed the fintech landscape in Nigeria and West Africa.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Odunayo Eweniyi |
| Date of Birth | December 23, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Oyo State (Yoruba ethnicity) |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, Activist, Investor, Tech Executive |
| Net Worth | $2.1 million (estimated) |
Early Life and Education
Born on December 23, 1993, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, Odunayo grew up in a family of academics—both her parents are university professors. This intellectually rich environment nurtured her curiosity and drive.
She is the eldest of three daughters and excelled academically from a young age, completing high school at just fourteen.
Initially interested in medicine, Odunayo shifted her focus to technology after realizing her passion lay elsewhere. Her fascination with technology was sparked when her father bought a family computer during her childhood.
She attended Covenant University, where she earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Engineering. Despite being one of only thirteen women in her class, she graduated top of her department with first-class honors, setting the stage for her future success.
Career
After graduating in 2013, Odunayo started as a Content and Social Media Manager at SAJ Parolz Ent. LTD. A serendipitous meeting with a former university classmate, Somto Ifezue, led her to join his startup and gain valuable entrepreneurial experience.
In 2014, she co-founded PushCV, a recruitment platform designed to help job seekers optimize their CVs and connect with employers, addressing Nigeria’s high unemployment rate.
PushCV gained traction and funding, marking her early success in tech entrepreneurship.
In 2016, Odunayo co-founded PiggyVest with Somto Ifezue and Joshua Chibueze. Inspired by the traditional Nigerian saving method called “kolo,” PiggyVest offers a digital platform that simplifies saving and investing for millions of Nigerians.
As COO, she manages operations, finance, investor relations, and fundraising. Under her leadership, PiggyVest has grown to serve over 4.5 million users and become Nigeria’s leading fintech platform.
In 2021, Odunayo co-founded FirstCheck Africa with Eloho Oname, a pre-seed and seed investment fund focused on startups with at least one female co-founder. This initiative aims to close the gender funding gap in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
She also serves on the board of Village Capital and holds positions with Rally Cap Ventures and the Nigerian University of Technology and Management.
Personal Life
Odunayo keeps her personal life private, with no public information about her marital status or children.
She currently lives in the United Kingdom while maintaining strong ties to Nigeria through her business and advocacy work. She is fluent in English and Yoruba.
Activism
Feminist Coalition and Gender Equality
In 2020, Odunayo co-founded the Feminist Coalition, a group dedicated to advancing gender equality in Nigeria through education, financial empowerment, and political representation. The coalition has become a powerful advocate for women’s rights in the country.
Role in #EndSARS Movement
During the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in 2020, Odunayo and the Feminist Coalition played a vital role by raising over $387,000 to support protesters with medical, legal, and mental health aid.
Their effective use of technology helped coordinate resources and spread information.
Other Advocacy Efforts
She also co-founded Wine & Whine Nigeria, a platform that creates safe spaces for women to network and discuss issues without societal pressures, further reflecting her dedication to empowering women.
Odunayo Eweniyi Net Worth
Odunayo Eweniyi’s estimated net worth is around $2.1 million, making her the only woman among Nigeria’s top ten richest tech entrepreneurs.
Her wealth primarily comes from PiggyVest’s success and her investments through FirstCheck Africa. She was featured on Forbes Africa’s list of 20 New Wealth Creators in Africa in 2019.
Awards and Recognitions
Odunayo has received numerous accolades, including:
- Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 in Technology (2019)
- Forbes Woman Africa Technology and Innovation Award (2022)
- Future Awards Africa Prize in Technology (2018)
- TIME100 Next (2021)
- Bloomberg 50 (2020)
- One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year (2023)
- Vogue’s 12 Women Leaders That Changed The World (2020)
She is also recognized for her social impact work by organizations such as the Malala Fund and Quartz Africa.
