International HR Day Spotlight: Emmanuel Nwalor Jnr.

Sometimes, our career journeys begin unexpectedly. For Emmanuel Nwalor Jnr., a chance opportunity during a workplace rotation sparked what he describes as a “relationship with HR” one rooted in people, purpose, and continuous learning. In this International HR Day spotlight, he shares his journey into HR, his people-first philosophy, and what empowerment truly means in the workplace at Interswitch.

Q. What first drew you to a career in HR, and was there a defining moment that made you realize this was the path for you?

A. My relationship with HR had a bit of a divine twist.

I joined an organisation alongside nine other colleagues, and as part of our onboarding, a special rotation plan was created that had me working across six business groups over 12 weeks.

During one of the rotations, I attended a meeting with my boss. Afterwards, I found out that some of the questions and perspectives I shared caught the attention of the HR Director, who requested that I complete an additional two-week rotation in HR. This extended my onboarding from 12 weeks to 14 weeks. During those two weeks in HR, the HR Director assigned me to two projects that were quite innovative at the time because they combined HR and technology; something that was still very rare then. That experience sparked my interest, and my relationship with HR began from there. The rest, as they say, is history.

Q. This year’s theme for HR Day is “Empower people to lead change.” What does empowering people look like in practical, everyday HR work at Interswitch?

A. Ensuring people know what to do and giving them the leeway and support to do it.

Q. Behind every HR professional is a human being too. What’s one personal value or life lesson that strongly influences how you work with people?

A. Making sure that in every interaction, the other person feels treated like a human being. Simply put, being humane and treating colleagues with dignity, courtesy, and respect, so they never leave an interaction feeling diminished or less valued.

Q. What’s one misconception people often have about HR, and what do you wish more people understood about the work you do?

A. People often forget that HR professionals are employees too, and regardless of the direction a decision takes, the HR person is also impacted by it.

I also wish people understood that when making people-related decisions, things are rarely black and white. Most decisions are made based on what best supports organisational objectives while achieving the greater good.

Q. In your opinion, what makes a workplace truly empowering, beyond policies and perks?

A. Knowing that there is genuine concern for you as a person and for your career growth, and that fairness remains a key factor in decision-making.

Q. What’s the most fulfilling aspect of being an HR practitioner at The Switch?

A. There is always something new to work on.

Q. Outside of work, what’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

A. I enjoy living like a hermit sometimes. I can stay indoors for weeks at a stretch and enjoy every bit of it, as long as I have a really engaging book to keep me company.

For Emmanuel, HR is ultimately about humanity, treating people with dignity, creating room for growth, and making fair decisions that serve both people and the organisation. His story is a reminder that empowering people starts with trust, empathy, and giving them the freedom to thrive.