Pelumi Akinlade
Summary
Accomplished professional specializing in agile project management and delivery governance, with a focus on hybrid and scaled delivery models. Proficient in program and portfolio management, digital transformation, and risk assurance. Expertise in financial management, resource planning, and team scaling, complemented by skills in SQL, AWS, Microsoft Suite, Jira, Python, and DevOps. Engages with senior stakeholders to design operating models that enhance collaboration.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
IT Project Manager (Programme Delivery Lead)
THE CHAINCADEMY
Remote, UK
2025.03 - 2025.09
- Assisted teams in delivering projects for blockchain-enabled digital learning platform.
- Supported planning and execution processes for governance and delivery assurance.
- Helped design frameworks for risk and change management, improving reporting efficiency.
- Collaborated with product and technology teams to implement agile practices.
- Aided in conducting UAT pilot rollouts and ensuring platform readiness.
- Monitored risk management to identify and mitigate potential issues.
- Provided support during crisis situations to ensure minimal disruption.
- Recommended technical solutions to improve operational efficiency.
Senior Product Manager (Programme Manager – Platforms)
NEARPAYS
Abuja, NG
2022.01 - 2024.01
- Directed large-scale fintech platform programmes, delivering SaaS and API-based products across multiple geographies (Africa and USA).
- Developed programme roadmaps, milestone plans, and budget tracking, delivering $1m+ investor-funded initiatives on time and within budget.
- Designed and implemented operating models for distributed engineering, QA, and UX teams, enhancing accountability and speeding up execution.
- Established governance forums to facilitate senior decision-making, ensure regulatory alignment, and manage risks and dependencies.
- Improved early customer engagement by 20% through data-driven prioritisation and delivery focus.
- Authored technical documentation and presented strategic reports to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with commercial timelines.
- Spearheaded rigorous competitor analysis to inform strategic decision making.
- Boosted customer satisfaction with continuous improvement of existing products.
- Launched several high-profile products, achieving significant market recognition.
Project Manager (Technology Transformation)
ACCESS BANK PLC
Lagos, NG
2018.01 - 2022.01
- Led enterprise-scale technology and digital transformation programmes across multiple business units within regulated financial services environment.
- Managed complex vendor and system integration programmes, enhancing service resilience and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Implemented delivery governance and assurance frameworks, strengthening risk management, audit readiness and executive transparency.
- Developed and executed technology change roadmaps, achieving operational efficiencies and cost reductions by 30%
- Presented programme updates and outcomes to senior leadership, clearly articulating business impact and value realisation.
Project Technical Analyst
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Lagos, NG
2014.01 - 2017.01
- Supported business case development and funding governance, securing £1.5m+ in public-private funding.
- Established delivery tracking, reporting and assurance mechanisms aligned to institutional governance standards.
- Established delivery tracking and reporting mechanisms aligned to institutional governance standards, ensuring accountability and transparency.
- Supported capability uplift initiatives for 500+ staff, embedding sustainable ways of working to enhance organisational resilience.
- Managed digital outreach campaigns that increased programme visibility and user engagement, driving higher participation rates.
Education
MBA - Project Management
University of Hertfordshire
UKMSc - Computer Network & Security
Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Avancées de Management
BJBSc - Banking and Finance
Babcock University
NGSkills
- Agile project management
- Agile delivery governance
- Agile, Hybrid & Scaled Delivery Models
- Programme & Portfolio Management
- Technology & Digital Transformation
- Governance, Risk & Delivery Assurance
- Financial Management & Value Realisation
- Financial reporting
- Resource planning
- Team scaling
- Global Capability Centres & Offshore Delivery
- Continuous Improvement & Performance Metrics
- Tools & Platforms: SQL, AWS, Microsoft Suite, Jira, Python, DevOps, Pilot Rollout & UAT, GUI Development, Product Deployment (Familiar with Azure DevOps concepts)
- Senior Stakeholder & CIO-Level Engagement
- Operating model design
- Academic collaboration
Websites
Certification
- Project Management Professional – PMP
- Risk Management Professional – CILRMN
- Enterprise Design Thinking – IBM
- Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
- Budget Management, Business Case Development & Roadmap Execution
Accomplishments
- Winner – GITEX 2023 Innovation Award (Nearpays), contributing to a 40% increase in partnership enquiries
- Winner- United Nations, backed AI for Good Innovation Factory Africa
- Graduate of the Visa Fintech Accelerator Programme
- Delivered multi-country SaaS and platform launches using distributed delivery teams
- Secured $1.5m+ funding through strategic programme proposals
- Led transformation initiatives across banking, fintech, public sector and digital platforms
- Digitised workflows in banking and government, mirroring MES, and ERP optimisation in manufacturing.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
The Right Dimples, 2019, 2025, Delivered digital skills training, mentoring and employability support for under-resourced youth, Designed and led community-focused edtech and digital literacy initiatives
Affiliations
- Beekeeping, Driving, Swimming
Timeline
IT Project Manager (Programme Delivery Lead)
THE CHAINCADEMY
2025.03 - 2025.09
Senior Product Manager (Programme Manager – Platforms)
NEARPAYS
2022.01 - 2024.01
Project Manager (Technology Transformation)
ACCESS BANK PLC
2018.01 - 2022.01
Project Technical Analyst
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS
2014.01 - 2017.01
MSc - Computer Network & Security
Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Avancées de Management
BSc - Banking and Finance
Babcock University
MBA - Project Management
University of Hertfordshire