So Far, So Good: 5 Culture Shocks and Surprises at Cowrywise

When I joined Cowrywise a little over two months ago, I knew it would be different from any of my previous experiences. I had done my homework—read all I could, asked the right questions, spoken to a few insiders, and pored over every bit of information I could find online.

Despite all that, nothing could have prepared me for the whirlwind of culture shocks that greeted me. Right from my first day, it felt like I had entered a different universe—a refreshing, quirky, and surprisingly warm one.

Here are five standout moments that made me realize Cowrywise isn't your typical Nigerian workplace.

1. Ideas Are All You Need to Run With

Shortly after I joined, we had a company-wide retreat that included a 12-hour meeting filled with brainstorming sessions. Ideas were pouring in from every direction, and it was truly a sight to behold.

As the meeting progressed, I expected timelines and execution plans to be handed out for all these ideas. But to my surprise, there was nothing of the sort. No rigid timelines, no overbearing oversight.

Fast forward two weeks, and I started hearing about those very ideas being implemented across different teams. It wasn’t just during meetings either—random conversations on Slack or casual chats in the office often led to ideas taking off without unnecessary bureaucracy.

At Cowrywise, it’s a self-led environment. There’s a lot of freedom, but it’s a freedom balanced with responsibility. If you have a great idea, you’re encouraged to run with it. No one will babysit you or hold your hand. It’s up to you to bring your ideas to life, and that autonomy is both exhilarating and empowering.

2. No Special Treatment for Co-Founders

One of the biggest surprises was realizing that the co-founders at Cowrywise don’t just tolerate the idea of getting “special treatment”—they actually detest it.?

So, there's free lunch and fruits daily at Cowrywise, which is always a pleasant constant. But Tuesdays are special. Tuesdays come with a buffet offering something different from the regular.

So, imagine my surprise when I saw Razaq Ahmed, CFA and Edward Popoola , our CEO and CTO, casually join the queue to get their food on my first Tuesday. I was taken aback.?

Aren’t these guys the big bosses? Why are they standing in line like everyone else? Shouldn't there be a reserved seat or someone bringing their food to them? But no, when it was their turn, they didn’t get the largest portions or the biggest protein on display. It was the same as everyone else.

Given the cultural context in Nigeria. That wasn’t the norm. I would later find out the reason behind this later on in a casual conversation. Razaq and Ed believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of title. It's one of the bedrock of the incredible culture at Cowrywise - No special treatments!?

3. The All-Hands Meeting That Blew My Mind?

One of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had so far was during an all-hands meeting. Razaq, introduced an idea around a growth strategy. But as he spoke, I noticed Feyisayo Sonubi , our Design Lead, didn’t seem entirely on board. I could see the disagreement written all over his face, and I wondered if he would speak up or stay silent—because, well, Razaq is the boss and the idea was by my own estimation a pretty smart one.?

To my surprise, Feyi didn’t hold back. He voiced his concerns passionately. He wasn’t just disagreeing; he was saying,“Oga, this thing won’t work,” with the conviction of someone who genuinely cares about the company’s direction.

At that moment, I found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering how Razaq would respond. In many business settings in Nigeria, disagreeing with the boss is like stirring up a hornet’s nest. But what happened next left me in awe.

Razaq didn’t dismiss Feyi’s concerns; instead, he listened intently, acknowledged Feyi’s point of view, and engaged in a constructive debate. They discussed the idea openly, weighing the pros and cons before reaching a conclusion. I watched the whole interaction with admiration.

At Cowrywise, having a differing opinion isn’t just tolerated—it’s encouraged. This culture of open dialogue and mutual respect is something truly special, and it’s a big part of what makes Cowrywise such a unique place to work.

4. You Just Have to Love Football

The EPL season kicked off last month, and never in my life have I been as involved in the game as I am this season. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always loved football. In fact, I’m a staunch Arsenal fan (COYG), and my close friends can vouch for that. But at Cowrywise, football is taken to a whole new level.

Every Saturday, like clockwork, we meet to play football as early as 6:30 am. But it doesn’t stop there. Cowrywise recently spent some good money on a CSR project to renovate the football field in a community primary school, and we’ve even integrated a football savings goals (where you save for every goal your club scores, every transfer etc) into our app. Here, it’s impossible to escape the love for the game.

There’s a Slack channel that’s almost always buzzing with football banter and fun. Despite all the pre-season brag, Razaq’s Madrid have been underwhelming even with Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrigo meanwhile Einstein’s Barcelona thrashed Valladolid 7-nil last time out. You need to see bantering that alone has generated in-house.

We also have a Fantasy Premier League challenge, where Einstein Yunusa , our Finance Manager, has been topping the league for three weeks straight. And just recently, we got our custom-made jerseys and started hosting friendly matches with other companies.

Football is more than just a sport here—it’s a unifying force that transcends ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic class. It’s one of the things I love most about Cowrywise. The way the company leverages the passion for football to bring people together is nothing short of inspiring.

5. Excellence is Non-Negotiable

Drop all your preconceived notions about excellence when you walk into Cowrywise. The standard here isn’t just high—it’s sky-high.

At Cowrywise, we don’t just do things because they need to be done; we do them because we want to do them exceptionally well. And this pursuit of excellence isn’t limited to our products—it’s woven into everything we do, from the smallest task to the most ambitious project.

Our approach to work is defined by meticulous planning, precise processes, and intentional execution. I’ve always considered myself a detailed person, but since joining Cowrywise, I’ve found this attribute of mine pushed to even greater limits. Here, nothing—no matter how seemingly insignificant—gets overlooked.?

Excellence is our baseline, and anything less simply won’t do.

Finally, this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are countless other moments and experiences I haven’t even touched on. But these few have made me realize how incredibly fortunate I am to be part of something truly special.

It’s easy to call out bad companies, and we do that often enough. But when you find yourself in a place that challenges you, nurtures you, and makes you proud every day, it deserves to be celebrated just as loudly.?

Cowrywise isn’t just a company; it’s a community, a family, and a place where excellence, respect, and passion aren’t just words—they’re lived every single day.

I feel very blessed to be here, surrounded by colleagues who inspire me, leaders who lead with humility, and a culture that truly values every voice.?

Cowrywise is an amazing place to work!

P:S - We're receiving invitations from corporate bodies who would love to play football with us. If this sounds like something your Organisation is interested in, click here .