For Babatunde Esanju, success in technology isn’t measured by downloads, user growth, or even profit margins; it’s defined by trust. The senior software engineer, open-source contributor, and technology entrepreneur has spent over a decade building digital products that have redefined how people interact with law, finance, healthcare, and logistics. From digitising Nigeria’s legal system at LawPavilion to engineering AI-driven financial tools at Wyrr and GenCapita and designing healthcare solutions like Caresyntra, Esanju’s mission has been consistent: to build systems that people can rely on.
He believes great products don’t just solve problems; they inspire confidence, drive inclusion, and create lasting social value. In this interview with BusinessDay’s Chinwe Michael, Esanju discusses his journey across LegalTech, FinTech, and CareTech, and the lessons that continue to guide his approach to innovation.
How did your experience in LegalTech shape your problem-solving approach in other industries like FinTech and CareTech?
My career began at LawPavilion Nigeria, where we digitised case law and legal processes. That experience taught me that trust, accuracy, and compliance are non-negotiable. LegalTech is highly regulated, so every solution must be airtight; there’s no room for error. I learned how to turn complex, paper-heavy workflows into seamless, digital systems that people could depend on.
When I transitioned into FinTech and CareTech, I brought that mindset with me. In finance, trust is the currency; in healthcare, safety is paramount. The legal world trained me to design systems that balance innovation with accountability, solutions that not only work but also meet ethical and regulatory standards.
You led the development of the Loan Management Portal at LSETF, which improved productivity by 40 percent. How did you achieve that?
At the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the loan process was entirely manual, slow, prone to error, and difficult to scale. We decided to automate the entire workflow by building a modular, service-oriented portal. Each module handled a specific task: loan intake, credit assessment, approval, and reporting.
We also implemented role-based access controls to ensure data integrity and accountability. Automated credit scoring reduced turnaround times, while data-driven dashboards gave management real-time insights. What used to take days could now be done in hours. That 40 percent boost in productivity came from automation, smart orchestration, and transparency.
AI and ML are transforming finance globally. How have you leveraged them in projects like Wyrr and GenCapita?
Artificial intelligence and machine learning have the power to make financial systems more inclusive. Traditional credit scoring models exclude millions of Africans without formal credit histories. With AI, we can assess alternative data transaction trends, mobile usage, and even behavioural analytics to make more accurate and fair credit decisions.
At Wyrr, we built fraud-prevention models that detect suspicious activity in real time, protecting both users and the business. At GenCapita, we used machine learning to analyse investment behaviour and offer smarter portfolio recommendations tailored to users’ risk appetite. These aren’t just technical achievements; they’re steps toward inclusion, giving financial visibility to people who were once invisible to the system.
Balancing innovation and compliance is a recurring challenge in FinTech. How do you navigate that?
That balance is one of the toughest parts of building in FinTech. Many startups want to move fast and disrupt, but ignoring regulation is like building on quicksand. My approach is “build fast, but build right.”
At Gen Financial Limited, we were ambitious about securities trading and payment processing, but we engaged regulators from the start. We shared our roadmap, incorporated feedback, and aligned with KYC, AML, and data-protection rules. Compliance wasn’t a constraint; it became our competitive advantage. Once regulators trusted our transparency, it gave us room to innovate responsibly.
What lessons did you learn from building the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform at QOOP?
The BNPL project at QOOP was an eye-opener. The technology was the easy part; the real challenge was understanding consumer behaviour. Many African users are new to digital credit, so trust and education are critical.
We focused on transparency. Repayment terms were clear and simple, with no hidden charges. We also built financial education into the onboarding process. Instead of chasing rapid user growth, we focused on responsible lending. That reduced default rates and increased trust, lessons I’ve carried into every subsequent project.
As a co-founder and CTO of Aisiki, what was the inspiration behind building a logistics and agriculture-tech platform, and how do you see this sector evolving in the future?
Africa’s agricultural sector is full of potential but suffers from inefficiencies, especially in logistics. Farmers lose income due to unreliable transport and limited access to markets. With Aisiki, our goal was to bridge that gap by connecting farmers directly with logistics providers and buyers.
By creating a platform that improved supply chain visibility, we helped farmers earn more and reduce waste. Looking ahead, I see the sector evolving with IoT sensors for crop monitoring, mobile platforms for direct trade, and blockchain or decentralised finance (DeFi) for smallholder credit access. Agriculture is not just a survival industry; it’s a scalable opportunity waiting to be optimised through technology.
Caresyntra has been praised for its seamless care management. What were the main challenges and solutions?
Building Caresyntra was complex because healthcare is both heavily regulated and deeply human. Caregivers need intuitive tools, but data security and compliance cannot be compromised.
We designed the platform using a modular, cloud-based microservice architecture, allowing flexibility and scalability. Secure APIs ensured real-time data synchronisation while meeting privacy standards. But beyond the technical side, we focused on empathy, creating a platform that served caregivers, patients, and families equally. Technology in healthcare must feel human-centred; otherwise, it fails its purpose.
How do you think the ticketing industry can be transformed through technology, and what innovations have you introduced at TixTrack to enhance the user experience?
Ticketing has long struggled with inefficiencies and fraud. At TixTrack, we reimagined how transparency and flexibility could enhance the user experience. We introduced transferable tickets to make resale safer, group sales optimisation for bulk buyers, and real-time reporting for event organisers.
The impact was immediate: users trusted the system more, and organisers gained actionable insights into ticket sales. It’s not just about selling tickets; it’s about restoring confidence and creating value for everyone in the event ecosystem.
You share technical insights on Tundehub.dev. What are the most pressing issues in microservices and cloud computing today?
Microservices and cloud adoption are growing fast, but many teams jump in without proper governance or cost control. The biggest issues I see are around observability, scalability, and cost optimisation.
Developers can stay ahead by joining open-source communities, experimenting responsibly, and studying real-world implementations. Writing for Tundehub.dev keeps me accountable; it forces me to learn deeply, document carefully, and share honestly. Continuous learning is the only way to stay relevant in tech.
How do collaboration and knowledge sharing fuel innovation in tech?
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Collaboration through open-source communities, hackathons, mentorship, and events accelerates progress. Sharing what you know not only strengthens the ecosystem but also deepens your own understanding.
I have seen a single conversation at a tech conference spark a startup idea that later changed lives. That’s why I contribute to open-source, write, mentor, and speak, because collective progress always outpaces individual success.
Technology continues to reshape societies. How can it address inequality in Africa and the UK?
Technology is the greatest equaliser of our time. In Africa, mobile money has already brought millions into the financial system. Now, we’re seeing blockchain drive transparency, AI refine credit scoring, and telehealth improve rural healthcare access.
In the UK, the focus is on digital inclusion, using technology to upskill disadvantaged communities and improve public services. Across both continents, the goal is the same: build technology that is inclusive, ethical, and accessible. Tech that only serves the privileged isn’t progress; it’s missed potential.
Looking back, what moments defined your career the most?
Digitising legal processes at LawPavilion instilled precision and respect for compliance. Building loan and financial platforms at LSETF showed me the power of tech-driven empowerment. Leading BNPL and cooperative systems at QOOP and getQoop.com taught me the importance of trust and user education.
Developing open-source tools like PayBridge.SDK reaffirmed my belief in community-driven innovation, while launching TechNaija FM and the Obokun Tech Summit reminded me that storytelling and collaboration are as critical as engineering.
Each milestone reinforced my philosophy: technology should empower, not exclude. My mission remains clear: build products that matter, scale them ethically, and create opportunities for others to do the same.
