When you tell people you work remotely, they immediately assume your life is lonely. No gist at the watercooler, no sneaky banter by the office printer, no “let’s grab lunch downstairs.” But anyone who has met Chinenye and Chisom knows that even in a Slack-and-Google-Meet world, friendship will always find its way.

Chinenye and Chisom are colleagues-turned-besties whose story starts at Moniepoint and has grown into something that spills beautifully into their personal lives. From collaborating and solving merchant complaints to teaching each other life skills (yes, even driving), theirs is a friendship built on support, laughter, and the occasional “please pick my call.”

Chisom is the first friendly face merchants meet when they’re setting up with Moniepoint. As a KYC Support Officer, he ensures that the paperwork is accurate, the details are verified, and businesses are compliant. His calm and patient style ensures that merchants are onboarded smoothly and securely.

Chinenye works in the heart of Monnify, where transactions come together. In settlement and reconciliation, she’s the one double-checking the numbers, ensuring funds are allocated correctly, and keeping merchants confident that everything balances. 

I sat down with them to talk about how it all began, the highlights and learning moments of their work lives, and why finding your person at work matters, even when “work” is happening from your couch.

So, let’s start with the meet-cute. How did you both end up at Moniepoint, and by extension, in each other’s lives?

Chisom: Honestly, my story is funny because I had no background in fintech at all. None. I was actually in the education space before I joined Moniepoint. However, I was curious and wanted growth, so I jumped in. Two years later, I’ve learned so much, and I just celebrated my second anniversary here.

Chinenye: Mine is a little different. My sister actually sent me the link to a support staff role almost three years ago. That was how I applied and joined Moniepoint. When I got in, even before I met Chisom, I was hearing about him. Everyone said he was the KYC person who actually responded quickly and helped you when you reached out. And let me tell you, that was rare. The reputation for KYC people in the industry was that it was “good luck getting them to reply.” My first impression was, “Wow, someone who’s actually helpful,” which is the culture at Moniepoint, and I love it.

10/10 on that culture bit. What was your actual first meeting like?

Chinenye: I remember being shocked that he was precisely as the gist said. He didn’t make things difficult. When I was a support staff member, if I reached out, he always made time for me. I think that’s what made me start noticing him more.

Chisom: (laughs) I didn’t even know people had gist about me. I was just doing my work. But I think that’s what made me stand out, I genuinely like helping people. If someone calls me, I’ll try to answer even if it means staying longer than I planned.

Chisom, you joined Moniepoint as a KYC Support Officer. What’s that journey been like?

Chisom: It’s been one long classroom. I came in fresh, so everything I know today, I learned here at Moniepoint. The good thing is, Moniepoint makes growth possible, and boy, have I grown on the job. I got promoted in the March cycle this year, which was huge for me because it was a sign that the work is getting done and done well.

Of course, compliance and verification aren’t without their challenges. Sometimes, for instance, the pace really picks up. But I have the support and resources around me, and that makes all the difference. It taught me how resilient we are as a team, and how much we can achieve when we pull together.

And for you, Chinenye? From support staff to merchant settlement feels like a big leap.

Chinenye: Oh, definitely. Support was a whirlwind; fun, fast-paced, and always interesting. It gave me such a solid foundation for everything I do now. Being the first point of contact for customers helped me understand the company as a whole better. It prepared me for where I am now.

My role in merchant settlement is definitely more demanding, but that’s what makes it exciting. Every merchant case is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. It motivates me to investigate thoroughly, think critically, and remain calm under pressure. Honestly, it feels like doing detective work, and I love that challenge.

So both of you are basically professional firefighters. How does friendship play into that?

Chinenye: Back when I was in Support, it helped a lot that I knew Chisom in KYC. If an issue needed resolution, I knew I could reach him quickly. That saved me stress.

Chisom: Same here. Knowing someone just makes collaboration smoother. Although we no longer work together directly, our friendship continues outside of work. We talk every day on WhatsApp, we hang out at “Moniepoint and Chill” events, and we check in on each other.

Outside of work, how has this friendship shaped your personal lives?

Chisom: For one, she inspired me to start learning how to drive because she enrolled in driving school. It’s a small thing, but it shows how your friends influence you without even trying.

Chinenye: And he inspires me with how willing he is to help people. It motivates me to strive for improvement and to help others as much as possible.

Do you think workplace friendships can sometimes be challenging to navigate in a remote workplace?

Chisom: Yes, but friendships are necessary. Work is easier when you know people. You can collaborate more effectively, feel like you belong, and it reduces the sense of isolation that often accompanies remote work.

With all the moving parts in your roles, how do you stay centred and motivated?

Chinenye: Calmness. If I panic when a merchant has a complicated issue, I won’t think straight. So I breathe, I analyse, I take it step by step.

Chisom: For me, it’s the reminder that the work we do matters. Even on the busiest days, that reminder makes the work feel meaningful and worthwhile.

Every month, Moniepoint hosts “Moniepoint and Chill”. It’s a chance to step out of remote routines, meet colleagues face-to-face, and collaborate in real time.

You mentioned “Moniepoint and Chill.” What’s the highlight for you?

Chisom: The connections. It’s easy to feel like you only know people through Slack usernames, but these events remind you that we’re humans. You talk, you play games, you eat together, and it just bonds everyone.

Chinenye: I love that it gets me out of the house. You meet people you’d never have interacted with otherwise. And yes, the food and games don’t hurt.

Finally, what would you say you’ve learned from each other?

Chinenye: Chisom’s willingness to help is unmatched. He’ll go out of his way for people, and it inspires me to do the same.

Chisom: For me, it’s her resilience. She has such a good heart, but she’s also tough. I saw it when she transitioned into the Monnify role; she didn’t complain, she just adapted. That’s inspiring.

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