- “What a journey it has been,” he says, marking the end of a ten-year chapter building one of Nigeria’s top fintech companies”
After ten years, Nigerian software engineer Julian Duru leaves Moniepoint. His exit marks the end of a decade-long journey that saw both his evolution and that of Moniepoint from a small team writing code in Tosin’s apartment in Victoria Island to one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies.
Duru announced his departure on X, writing:
“Today is my last day as a software engineer at Moniepoint. It’s been 10 years since I started my career at this great company. 10 years of blood, sweat, tears, and triumph. What a journey it has been!”
For those who’ve followed Moniepoint’s rise, Duru’s name is a familiar one. A University of Lagos Computer Science graduate, he joined Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt) in 2015 straight out of school, barely 20 years old at the time, with a passion for building and very little else.
“I was just a kid… All I had going for me was that I was obsessed with building great products,” he wrote.
He recalled the early days vividly: a handful of engineers in Tosin Eniolorunda’s apartment in 1004, working long hours, throwing jokes around, and writing code late into the night. That small group would go on to build the technical foundation of what is now a fintech unicorn, serving millions of people and businesses across Nigeria and beyond. Now, with Moniepoint leadership changes underway and the company moving into its next phase, Duru is moving on.
Over the years, Julian Duru has worn many hats, including those of Test Automation Engineer, Product Manager, Software Architect, and, most recently, Principal Software Engineer before leaving moniepoint. His work spanned mobile apps, internal banking systems, business intelligence tools, and AI projects. He even built a custom checkers game in school, just because he didn’t like the versions available on the App Store.
Duru’s journey into software engineering started long before Moniepoint. At 15, he picked up a book in UNILAG’s library that introduced him to ALGOL. That moment sparked his curiosity in programming—an interest that hasn’t faded.
“I started writing code when I was 15… For me, it was about experimenting with an activity I found oddly satisfying.”
So, why leave now? After 10 years, many would call it a dream run: strong leadership, deep impact, and a seat at the table during one of Nigeria’s most exciting fintech stories. But for Duru, stepping down is more about making space for what’s next.
“This is a resignation from paid employment, but not from purpose,” he wrote. “I will continue to do everything I can to support my fellow humans with whatever resources the universe has blessed me with.”
He’s also deeply appreciative of the people who shaped his journey. He mentioned Tosin Eniolorunda, Moniepoint’s CEO, as a guiding figure whose values influenced the company’s culture and long-term vision. “I know Moniepoint will continue to do great things,” he said, “because I know Tosin.”
For Moniepoint, Julian Duru’s career move is a meaningful one. He wasn’t just another engineer; he was part of the company’s DNA. His contributions helped shape both product and culture. His departure signals change but also confidence in the next generation of talent stepping up within the Moniepoint tech team.
At the moment, Duru hasn’t shared exactly what he’s doing next. But he’s keeping busy. In his words: “Currently I’m working with a team of smart people to build systems powering some of the biggest banks in Nigeria, and I haven’t even scratched the surface regarding what I hope to accomplish as I progress through my career.”
He has done the work. He has seen the startup days, the scaling challenges, and the transition to unicorn status. And now, he is choosing to pause, reflect, and keep building, just from a different place.
Julian Dumebi Duru’s journey as a software engineer began long before his celebrated tenure at Moniepoint. From a young age, Duru displayed a natural curiosity and a passion for constructing solutions to complex mathematical problems. At just 14, he started writing code—remarkably, not on a computer, but by hand with pen and paper. This early dedication to the craft set the stage for a lifelong commitment to technology and innovation.
Duru’s academic path took him through the International School Lagos, where his talent for computer science quickly became evident. His hard work paid off when he ranked eighth nationwide in the 2009 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), a testament to his intellect and determination. Driven by a desire to deepen his knowledge, Duru pursued a degree in Computer Science at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). There, he immersed himself in programming languages like ALGOL, sharpening his problem-solving skills and laying the groundwork for a future in software development.
Even as a student, Duru was already making an impact. He developed mobile apps for education, entertainment, and medical diagnosis, demonstrating an ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. This hands-on approach to learning and building would become a hallmark of his career.
Duru’s entry into the professional world was marked by a pivotal introduction to Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO of Moniepoint, through his friend Tomi Alagbe. In 2015, he joined Moniepoint, then a small but ambitious company, and quickly became a key player in its transformation into a unicorn supporting millions of people and businesses across Africa. Over the years, Duru wore many hats—lead software engineer, test automation engineer, product manager, software architect, and principal software engineer—each role expanding his expertise in the software development process and the business domain.
As a research engineer, Duru championed the importance of artificial intelligence, data, and cryptography in building secure, scalable systems. His work at Moniepoint was instrumental in developing payment infrastructure, business management tools, and digital banking systems that now support millions. Duru’s leadership and vision helped drive innovation, ensuring Moniepoint stayed competitive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Julian’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of starting early, nurturing curiosity, and embracing continuous learning. From writing code on paper to leading the deployment of critical technology solutions, his career is a testament to the impact one passionate software engineer can have on the world. As he looks to the future, Duru remains committed to using his knowledge and skills to create technology that bridges the gap between humans and machines, driving progress for millions across Africa and beyond.
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