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

I am Ogechi Odiah. I am a Chartered Accountant who recently transitioned into the tech space. Presently, I work as a Consultant with HYBR West Africa, a company focused on helping businesses with innovation and scaling business solutions.

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

Actually, when I transitioned into the tech space, I started studying Business Analysis at Utiva. The course was really robust and included components of Product and Project Management.

Sometime this year, I was involved in a project at work that involved building a Product. I was really fascinated and decided to know more about it. This led to my joining the Women in Tech program to study Product Management.

Presently, I’m working as the Project Manager on a product, which involves building and launching an MVP for a Client. I’m equally interning in the Product Management role, which is enabling me to put into practice the things I learnt in Product Management.

What Are The Challenges You Face as a Product Manager?

The major challenge I have faced in the Product Management space is being able to fully understand the Client’s expectations and interpret them.

Another is time management - being able to manage my time effectively to produce the necessary output.

Yet again is the fact that I have to constantly remind myself that the Product is an MVP and should meet the requirements of the users of the Product.

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

My highest point was realizing my dream of transitioning into tech and interning in the role.

My lowest point, however, was when I realized that the first phase of the MVP did not completely meet the Users’ requirements (after the performance of a post-demo launch assessment). We had to go back to the ‘drawing board’ and perform another User requirements survey.

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

Within the next 12 months, I hope to evolve in my role as a Product manager fully, developing innovative products for clients and even being involved in teaching upcoming tech students about Product management (I have a passion for teaching and imparting knowledge).

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

I started my tech journey at Utiva, studying Business analysis. This exposed me to various areas such as Product Management and Project management.

I also attended Utiva’s Taster session which talked about the various tech courses and my interest in Product management was heightened.

I appreciate Utiva as an organization, as my tech journey would be incomplete without them. I look forward to working with Utiva if the opportunity arises.

Which Individuals  Do You Draw Inspiration From as a Product Manager And Why? 

I follow a number of Product managers and draw inspiration and encouragement from them, as well as my tutors. I equally draw inspiration from senior colleagues, as it gives me the drive to aim higher.

Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know About You? 

I am involved in a number of volunteer activities around children, women, and young entrepreneurs. I enjoy giving back to the society.

Ogechi Odiah is a distinguished Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) renowned for her multifaceted expertise as a Business Consultant and Project manager, with over 12 years post qualification experience, spanning various sectors of the economy such as manufacturing, Oil and gas, IT, and agriculture. Her current role as the Business Manager at HYBR West Africa showcases her exceptional talents and leadership.

Ogechi’s recent transition into the tech space is in accordance with her desire to stay relevant and make a significant impact in the business space. 

Ogechi is a Fate Foundation volunteer and has mentored upcoming entrepreneurs and facilitated pieces of training around creativity and innovation.

Today, Ogechi stands as a testament to the power of passion and expertise, continually setting new standards of excellence in the fields of finance and business operations, consulting, Project Management, and very recently, Product management.

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