International HR Day Spotlight: Nifemi Okpara

Sometimes, the right career path finds you. For Nifemi Okpara, what started as an unexpected placement during a graduate trainee program evolved into a fulfilling journey in HR, one driven by excellence, people empowerment, and meaningful impact. In this International HR Day spotlight, Nifemi shares reflections on growth, purpose, and what it means to help people thrive 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. HR is a career I would say found me, it was not particularly a field I intentionally chose for myself. I was part of a graduate trainee program, and at the end of the program, we were assigned mentors who were responsible for identifying the areas best suited to us based on our interactions and strengths.

I was profiled as someone best suited for HR, and honestly, since then, it has felt like a round peg in a round hole situation. I’m grateful to have come this far.

There have also been moments throughout my career where people have affirmed that HR is truly my calling, and sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had never taken this path. I’m genuinely thankful to be here.

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. At Interswitch, one of our core values is people empowerment. In practical terms, this means that when we design and implement people-related initiatives, we are intentional about how they are received and experienced.

We ensure that employees have everything they need for these initiatives to succeed, and even beyond deployment, we put measures in place for advisory support, monitoring, and seamless integration. We are also very focused on empowering people across the organisation to do their jobs effectively and remain productive. This requires constant innovation, iteration, localization of initiatives, a value-driven mindset, and proactive thinking to ensure we stay ahead.

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. Excellence is a principle I hold very strongly. I believe that excellence in one area of life naturally reflects in other areas, including work. I’m also very conscious of perception. I see myself as a reflection of my beliefs, my family, and everyone associated with me, so I carry myself in a way that honors and elevates my roots.

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

A. I think many people assume HR exists more for management than for employees. The truth is, HR can be a very challenging and sometimes thankless function because we work hard to represent and support people, yet it can still feel like we are not fully trusted. What I wish more people understood is that before we are HR professionals, we are employees too, just like everyone else.

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

A. Being able to solve real problems and knowing that the work we do changes lives every day. Interswitch is a great example of this. It makes me feel like I’m part of something much bigger, something that is creating real impact across Africa.

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

A. I’m thankful to be part of this HR team specifically. This is a team that understands what is possible and goes after it. We dream big, localize ideas, and execute boldly. And even if we make a few mistakes along the way, that’s okay because growth comes from learning, improving, and getting better through the process.

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

A. I have a thriving cell (a group) that I teach God’s word.

For Nifemi, HR is about more than policies and processes, it is about excellence, empowerment, and creating meaningful impact through people. Her story reflects the spirit of this year’s International HR Day theme: helping people grow, thrive, and lead change with confidence.