Sherifat Akinomi is an information security expert and the Head of Information Security at Interswitch limited.
One would think that this computer guru would have always loved computers since she was little but this was not so. The mother of three wasn’t exposed to computers growing up but seemed to love mathematics and computing.
In the university, all her best courses where mathematically inclined. When the opportunity to study computer science in Bowen University came, Sherifat made good use of it. According to her, “I chose computer science because I couldn’t see myself doing another course.”
The information security expert worked with Stanbic IBTC for a few years before she moved to InterSwitch where they use a ‘switching’ infrastructure to connect the different banks in Nigeria and provide technology for automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
Although she is very busy, Sherifat does all she can with the help of her support group to balance work and family.
Her advice to young ladies who want to climb the ladder in their career is this, “Never think any amount you invest in yourself is too much. Don’t wait for organizations to provide access to a particular training before you opt for it because whatever you do is for yourself and nobody can take it from you.”
