PalmPay Appoints Former NIBSS Executive Samuel Oluyemi as COO

PalmPay has appointed Samuel Oluyemi as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its Nigerian operations, bringing on board a payments industry veteran as the fintech company accelerates growth in one of Africa’s largest digital financial services markets.

The appointment comes as Nigeria’s fintech sector experiences rapid expansion, driven by increasing digital payment adoption, financial inclusion initiatives and rising demand for secure and reliable financial services.

Oluyemi joins PalmPay after more than two decades at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, where he played key roles in developing and expanding some of Nigeria’s most important payment infrastructure platforms.

In his new role, Oluyemi will oversee PalmPay’s operational activities in Nigeria, including digital financial services for consumers and businesses, while supporting the company’s engagement with regulators and industry stakeholders.

PalmPay said the appointment aligns with its strategy of strengthening operational structures as it scales services across Nigeria and expands access to financial products in underserved communities.

Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, said the company is investing in leadership and operational excellence to support its long-term ambitions.

“Samuel joins PalmPay at an important stage in our journey to strengthen the foundations that will support our long-term goal of driving financial inclusion.”

“His extensive experience makes him well positioned to help us scale sustainably while maintaining the operational discipline, governance and customer-first culture that define PalmPay,” Nwosu said.

During his time at NIBSS, Oluyemi contributed to the development and implementation of several national payment initiatives that have supported the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

These include the Digital Validation of Nigerian International Passport, the Electronic Dividend Mandate Management System and the Electronic Pensions Contribution Collection System.

He also played a role in the introduction and adoption of the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) platform, Nigeria’s real-time interbank transfer infrastructure launched in 2011, which has become the backbone of electronic fund transfers across the country.

Speaking on his appointment, Oluyemi expressed confidence in the company’s vision and growth trajectory.

“I am excited to join the company and look forward to working alongside an exceptional team to strengthen operational excellence and support PalmPay’s vision of building a leading digital financial services platform,” he said.

Founded in 2019, PalmPay has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading fintech platforms, offering mobile payments, digital banking services, savings products and merchant solution