From SPAKster to an Intern at The Switch

Onyekachi Madumere’s participation in the 2^nd edition of InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition (Interswitch’s flagship CSR initiative) was a turning point for him. The road to his emergence as the second runner-up in the competition was marked by intense dedication and rigorous preparation. Balancing hours of study with high-pressure challenges, Onyekachi faced off against Nigeria’s brightest STEM minds.

Now, 5 years later, Onyekachi is a Data and Analytics intern at Interswitch. In this conversation, he reflects on the experience that shaped his passion for STEM and set him on a path toward innovation and impact. In this edition of #SwitchStories, he shares how the competition, his education, and his time at Interswitch have fuelled his ambition to make a meaningful difference in Nigeria and beyond.

Three words that describe you.

Driven, Resilient and Kind

Tell us about your experience as a participant in InterswitchSPAK.

I participated in the 2^nd edition of InterswitchSPAK in 2019. My school had participated a year before, and one of the students was able to make it to the semi-finals of the competition.

Taking learnings from my school’s participation the previous year, I was enrolled for the competition with some of my schoolmates. The first stage was a written examination, with 13,000 of Nigeria’s finest Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students competing for 81 slots in the second stage, which was the TV Quiz. With a score of 83% in this National Qualifying Examination, I secured the 9^th place in the Top 81 slots. This was the beginning of the work I knew I had to do. I was going to compete with arguably the best STEM students in Nigeria at that time.

Preparations were hectic, as I was dedicating over half a day each day to answering questions on STEM subjects to prepare for the TV Quiz. The actual competition, being televised, added an extra layer of excitement and nerves. The TV Quiz competition would easily rank in the top 5 most tense moments of my life! Competing alongside some of the brightest minds from across the country was intimidating and inspiring. I found that while we were all competitors, there was a strong sense of togetherness we had. We shared study tips, encouraged each other, and developed friendships that went beyond the competition. It was refreshing to be in an environment where everyone was driven by a similar passion for science, technology and impact.

It was mixed feelings for all of us at that time as we had to work together while knowing at the back of our minds that six of nine people would be eliminated. The innovative challenge for us as a team was how we could maximize technology to provide financial services to the majority of the unbanked Nigerians. I was able to make it to the semi-finals after an intense quiz session and then made the finals by a hair’s breadth.

I emerged the second runner-up in the competition. It was a moment of both relief and pride. I had put a lot of effort into preparing for the competition, and to see that the hard work paid off on such a prestigious platform was incredibly fulfilling. Being in the top three in such a competitive environment felt like a major achievement, one that encouraged me to pursue my academic and professional goals with even more confidence.

How has InterswitchSPAK impacted your education and career journey

The InterswitchSPAK competition was more than just a quiz show for me. It was an experience that broadened my perspective on what I could achieve, introduced me to a wider STEM community, and taught me how to handle high-pressure situations. Overall, it was a pivotal moment in my academic journey, one that shaped my aspirations and continues to drive me forward.

I have always been passionate about solving problems in Nigeria and Africa. I was open to exploring any career path that aligned with my goal of making a meaningful impact and would require a lot of critical thinking. Before the competition, I had an interest in STEM, but competing at such an intense level and dedicating long hours daily to STEM subjects significantly heightened my passion for this field of knowledge. It deepened my understanding of key concepts and encouraged me to explore areas of STEM.

During the competition, the opening speech by the GMD of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, at the finals of InterswitchSPAK 2.0 further intensified my passion for STEM as I saw from a different lens how technology can drive innovation in every sector. This led me to pursue a career in Electrical and Information Engineering where I work with systems that manage both electrical and information flow, as well as technologies that could drive innovation in every sector. I am set to resume my final year, eager to continue building on this foundation.

I am also very grateful to have had the support of Interswitch Group through the scholarship I received for coming third in the competition.

We can say you have come full circle, having emerged as a runner-up at InterswitchSPAK, and now being an intern at Interswitch. How has your internship experience been at The Switch?

Joining The Switch as an intern has been a transformative experience. From the outset, my goal was to immerse myself in the company’s projects and initiatives, particularly focusing on the area of data (which I am very passionate about) and how it could help with informed decision-making and assessing changing facts.

I aimed to leverage the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge from my studies in a practical setting, while also developing new skills. I also wanted to gain insights beyond theoretical aspects, such as industry practices, work culture, and organizational structure.

During my time at Interswitch, I have had the chance to assist in some key projects and achieve significant milestones with the team. I was also incorporated into a learning scheme to further develop my knowledge of technical and non-technical skills in the field of data. These skills include a deep understanding of data, proficiency in tools like Excel, Power BI, and Tableau for data visualization, and expertise in R and Python for data cleaning, advanced analysis, machine learning, and diverse other tools. In addition to this, I also learnt how those skills fit into the broader picture, the larger vision and mission at Interswitch, and the feeling that every task, no matter how little, is connected to a greater purpose.

My experience with colleagues and the People of The Switch has been great! The collaborative environment and supportive culture made it easy to integrate into the team and contribute effectively. I found that everyone was eager to share their knowledge and provide guidance, which greatly facilitated my learning and integration process.

Overall, my internship at The Switch has been a highly rewarding experience. It has broadened my perspective on the industry, allowed me to develop practical skills, and strengthened my professional network. The knowledge and experience gained here will undoubtedly shape my future career path and aspirations.

What has been your most memorable day at Interswitch?

One of my most memorable days at The Switch was when I successfully completed a significant project that had challenged me throughout my internship. After weeks of hard work and collaboration with the team, we finally got the desired result. This day was memorable because it encapsulated everything I hoped to gain from my internship—practical learning, teamwork, and contributing to a meaningful project. Not only did it reinforce my technical skills, it also gave me valuable experience in project execution and collaboration.

Beyond work, and school, what are your hobbies?

Besides work, I watch videos on Manchester United news and industry start-ups to unwind. I also play football with friends.

If you were not currently on this career path, what would you be doing?

If I was not on this career path, I would probably be pursuing a degree in Medicine. That was the field my parents wanted me to pursue.

What’s next for you beyond this internship?

I am returning to school for my final year at the university. But beyond that, I look forward to deepening my expertise in Electrical and Information Engineering by focusing on areas such as energy, control systems and data analytics. I plan to seek out opportunities for advanced studies or certifications that would enhance my technical skills and leadership abilities. I am also very interested in pioneering or collaborating with leading technology firms, research institutions, and industry experts on working on innovative projects that address real-world problems, particularly in the areas of transportation, agriculture, and energy.

My goal is to contribute to ground-breaking developments that have a positive impact on society in Nigeria and Africa. I also plan on attending industry conferences, and professional development programs, to ensure that I am updated with the latest advancements in technologies essential to my career.