From Curiosity to Code: Olamide Ilori on Grit, Growth & Leading with Impact in Tech
The Veet Team
If you’ve ever searched for a mentor who combines deep technical experience with real empathy, Olamide Ilori is exactly the kind of person you want in your corner.
Ranked among the top mentors on Veet, Olamide is a Senior Frontend Engineer and Team Lead at Prospa; a digital bank built for African entrepreneurs. But beyond the code he writes, it’s the path he’s walked and the people he continues to help that set him apart.
We sat down with Olamide for a relaxed, heartfelt conversation about his journey into tech, the power of mentorship, and what he’d build if given a blank canvas.
“I always believed I could fix anything — until I proved to myself that I couldn’t.”
Olamide’s journey didn’t begin with a laptop or a clear-cut roadmap. Instead, it started with an eagerness to solve problems, from fixing electronics at home to helping people around him figure out digital tools even when he didn’t own any.
A cousin’s mention of software engineering sparked something deeper. From there, curiosity took over. Though he initially leaned toward Computer Engineering, Olamide eventually switched to Computer Science, seeking a path that blended creativity with logic while avoiding the physics-heavy roadblocks.
“People say, ‘Oh, you studied Computer Science, no wonder you’re a developer.’ But I tell them that’s not why I’m in tech. My passion for solving problems is what made me excel in school, not the other way around.”
Building From the Ground Up
Olamide’s first taste of hands-on experience came through internships and small projects for family and friends, often unpaid, but always rich in lessons.
Unlike many of his peers who focused on getting paid during their industrial training, Olamide saw it as a choice between learning or earning. He chose learning. That decision opened doors. One internship led to gigs, then collaborations, then full-time offers. And in just a month after graduating, he landed his first official tech role.
“Your first opportunity is often a door. It may look small, but it opens you up to everything else.”
What Drives Him Today
Olamide now leads the frontend engineering team at Prospa, where he’s not just shipping code, he’s helping shape solutions that speak to real business owners’ needs.
He shared how listening to user testimonials on how Prospa has improved their businesses keeps him grounded and inspired.
“When users say, ‘Your product helped me solve this real problem,’ it makes every bug fix and late night worth it.”
On Mentorship and Giving Back
Mentorship holds a personal meaning for Olamide. Early in his journey, he longed for someone to talk to, not for tutorials, but for direction. That absence is what fuels his commitment to showing up now for others.
“Sometimes you don’t need a teacher, just someone to talk to. That’s what I try to be for younger developers now.”
Whether it’s through Veet or LinkedIn, he regularly supports aspiring developers, offering advice, checking in, and cheering them on as they navigate the same road he once walked.
Review Highlights
Here’s what some mentees shared after a session with Olamide:
If He Could Rebuild Anything…
If given the chance to build from scratch, Olamide said he’d focus on a Fintech app, even though the space is saturated, because he still sees gaps in financial services for everyday Nigerians. His dream is to serve young professionals and entrepreneurs trying to gain control over their finances and secure their futures.
The Dev Soup Game 🍲
In a fun, rapid-fire segment called “Cook Your Dev Soup,” we asked Olamide to build his ideal tech stack and workflow like he was creating a delicious dish.
Here’s what made it into his pot:
Base Language: TypeScript
Protein (Framework): React
Seasoning (Tools): Git and GitHub
Grain (Soft Skill): Communication
Final Garnish (Product Idea): A Fintech app that solves money problems for young professionals
“Communication saves you from 90% of headaches. If users know what you’re building and why, they feel like partners, not just customers.”
Parting Advice to Aspiring Devs
When asked what junior developers should know before building apps, Olamide said it clearly:
“It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just start. Execution beats overthinking every time.”
He also reminded us that while trends are useful, it’s focus and consistency that carry you forward, not the noise of the newest frameworks.
Want to Connect with Olamide?
If Olamide’s journey spoke to you and you’d love to learn from him directly, you can book a mentorship session on Veet.
🧠 Tap into guidance, insight, and honest feedback from someone who’s walked the path and is still paving it for others.
👉 Book a session with Olamide Ilori on Veet: https://www.joinveet.com/mentor/olamide-ilori