₦airaland Forum

Finally caught up! Missing a few days on this thread feels like missing deadline sometimes

Who has seen this update on happenings in the FinTech industry from this part of the planet

https://westafricaweekly.substack.com/p/flutterwave-the-african-unicorn-built/comments

davide470:
My sister works in the Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) of a FinTech in Europe. She said and I quote - once you see any transaction that could be flagged as fraudulent, there is no limit of what publicly available information (LinkedIn, FB, Twitter, Instagram etc.) to check so as to mitigate the risk as long as the info is used solely for that purpose and nothing else. Once a transaction failed security check, they go all out. The ideal thing is to pause that payment channel till it is certified ok by the FPU and before it is certified, DD must me carried out.

The OP can file a case which is well within his/her rights, but a FPU officer will squash it within 5 mins. There is no discrimination in Fraud Prevention (her words).

God bless your sis! Biko please can I meet her? I need assistance from someone already in the field to put me through how to navigate landing job in this field in FinTech start up or FI as I have same background and coming in September

I promise you I'm not "that" troublesome

Amarathripple0:
Yes it is misuse of data because I have no record of me giving them my LinkedIn profile as I’ve never applied for a job with them. I’ve done tests on GDPR at my job and this is a clear breach. I’ve been advised to file a formal complaint on record with them which I’ve done and then report them to the appropriate bodies or speak to a lawyer if they fail to take action. I would rather do the former and some social media posts as you have mentioned. Thanks

I might not know much about UK laws and this very issue but with my knowledge of how fraud team operates (from an AML specialist point of view) the first time your transaction declined, your attempted transaction might have been flagged in their own system and I'm guessing someone on the fraud team did what we call "internet search" on your full details. This internet search probably redirected them to your linked in page and even other platforms where your name is uniform, but it was easy for you to only discover LinkedIn search cause of how LinkedIn works.

My point is, you might have a point but at the same time just like someone earlier pointed out, the employee might be well covered for following the Google search that took him/her to your page and don't be surprised a customer agent you spoke with might not have the knowledge of what fraud team is capable of.

Any info shared on a public forum has become public property and most times isn't covered by 3rd party data privacy laws.

Bighgggg:
Dear House,

My trade monitor system still showing ADB_REVIEWER and Approving Stakeholder is stanbic. What can I do to fast track my payment through the FORM A

Have you been debited eventually? I have been looking for people who used Stanbic to make payment please let me know the rate you are charged. Your best bet is to use someone on the inside to follow up if you know anyone that knows someone.

Someone should please help with this information please I’m still in dire need of it. Anyone at all who has used stanbic recently PLEASE?

Ayowolebami:
Please who has used stanbic to pay deposit for school fees recently (this March)?

What date was it and what was the exchange rate?

Please who has used stanbic to pay deposit for school fees recently (this March)?

What date was it and what was the exchange rate?

johnsonpal:
Hi guys, It has been 6months here already, Pheew. Time truly flies, I tell you. My last post was 2 months ago; you can check that out if you missed it.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is solely my opinion and experiences, which of course, will defer from others.

This is kind of a long post; Apologies in advance, and to avoid decimating the write-up with links, they will be posted at the end under reference and further reading.


Let's get to it

Accommodation scarcity has always been an issue, but recently, it has gone bunkers, like finding accommodation now requires some miracle or sheer luck, especially for Families. I still don't understand why Landlords and letting agents avoid blatantly refuse to rent to families. The story is the same almost everywhere now. I can't even imagine the financial implication and the emotional stress of spending months in a hotel/Airbnb with no end. Single people are not finding it easy either.
It will be better to come alone first to settle and resolve accommodation issues; the family can join later. You don't want to be roaming around with your children in a new environment. The landlords/landladies are also taking advantage of people's desperation by suddenly hiking rent and not supplying necessities. I was able to secure accommodation a month before I came in; I don't even think that is possible anymore.

Accommodation Search Tips :
Get a Uk number ASAP( I downloaded vyke while in Nigeria because I wasn't getting any response via email). Start calling and texting instead of emailing alone.
Register on Zoopla, Rightmove, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, start 'sleeping' on the websites. (Beware of Scam, especially on Facebook, if someone asks you to send an email to the sister, Not available to show house, payment via Airbnb it's 99% scam!!)
Google Agents in your city, go to their office if you are already on ground.
'Collabo' with another family to get a 5/6 bedroom ( demand for them are relatively low )
Some of the jobs on the UK shortage list might be removed soon due to 'oversupply.' So I did some digging and came up with a list of jobs vocations that I think have good prospects; some are still emerging.

Sustainability/Renewable: The Uk and Europe are moving towards renewable and energy sustainable development FAST. The Ukraine Russian war is going to make this move even faster. A degree in anything Related is going to be so worth it.

Business Intelligence/ Data Analyst: I analyzed popular jobs sites(LinkedIn, Totaljobs, indeed, reeds) posts for the 2 years, and these popped up.

AI/ Data Science: Data is the new currency man; applying Machine learning, deep learning, AI algorithms to data will be hot. This is different from Data Analysis; if you don't want to be mediocre, a strong Math/statistics background is essential, or time to learn those matrices and PCA. Ladies, please consider this career path. You are black and female, Double Minority! If you now know your onions again, omo! not every time nursing/public health.

Adult Care/Mental health: According to ons.gov.uk, "In 1999, around one in six people were 65 years and over (15.8%), this increased to one in every five people in 2019 (18.5%) and is projected to reach around one in every four people (23.9%) by 2039" Uk has an aging population, so anything Adult care will remain hot for a long time. You might also want to consider moving to coastal towns/cities according to ons, they elderly your clients prefer to retire to these areas.
Scrum Master: They popped up on my job data analysis

Vocations: I think people are ignoring this. if you can somehow combine school and learning a vocation, Consider these

Exterior Wall Cladding Installation: Due to the Grenfell Fire incident in 2017, the Government mandated exterior wall cladding who are prone to fire removed and changed; in fact, they are giving loans to leaseholder now.
Mechanics, anything electric mobility
Plumbing
HGV instructor: I think the Ukrainian refugee might close that gap though
I will post more in my next write-up, and you can always pivot your career if you are already studying something a little related.

The need for Job experience and good references cannot be overemphasized, I understand some of us are currently working temp jobs to pay the bill, but these Temps jobs can still be purposeful; you can build relationships that could provide future references. That is why it's important to be professional, friendly, and have a good work ethic.
When I first started working, I came from 8:07 to an 8:00 shift, and the Manager said, 'oh, it's nice of you to join us' 7 mins o finally, my mouth was wide agape. The other time I received a query for taking 40mins instead of a 30mins break; there was absolutely nothing to do at work that day. I had to adjust. Being prompt is very important, so try to factor uncertainties like bus delays into your work commute/appointments. Also, don't just do the barest minimum; I sometimes stay back after my shift to help out colleagues. My phone is put off while at work while others fidget theirs. These little things get noticed, trust me.

Incorporate listening to local news (BBC, telegraph, sky, Economist) into your routine during your commute to school or work. This can help integrate a little faster; you want to keep abreast of news and policy in your new 'home,' let the instablognaija and Naija twitter rest for a minute. The news also serves as a good conversation point between school mate/colleagues.

I wouldn't lie to y'all, combing work and school is not for the faint-hearted, it gets really busy with no time to do any other thing, but please try to find time to develop a hobby, Go to the gym, go for a ride, party sometimes, in fact, if football is your thing, attend some game, if you can afford the ticket. I know Nigerians are not big on mental health, but please take time to balance out the stress. It is easy to get lost in a routine of just work-school. The good news is, all the hard work will be well worth it in no distant time. Don't be dismay.

Unfortunately, guys, the 'yahoo boys,' or is it men, have started trooping in en masse. I don't understand how grown-ass men, 36years + with families, are still doing fraud. For goodness sake, Nigerians already have a battered and soiled reputation; this set of people will make it worse. In as much as I am praying and hoping for y'all to get caught, the ripple effect of headlines like " Nigerian man arrested for ..... " on people like me who are constantly busting their ass every day and giving this our all cannot be quantified. Please, biko Abeg , in the day of whoever you serve, STOP!! Don't ruin this opportunity for others. Apart from fraud, these guys don't even pretend to be interested in the schooling that got them here.

I received some pm last time, guys. I'm also a JJC like you. I really don't think I can be of much help. Ask your questions on this thread and the other Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant thread. You can also use the search option. These threads are info-rich. I used to follow them bumper to bumper, but these days I barely have time to visit, So I follow these OG's; it is easier to just catch up on their posts.
Lexusgs430 - I read his post as far back as 3years ago, thank you, sir
Mamatukwas: - All about parenting in a new environment. I think she offers Cargo to and fro also
Ticha : Finance, mortgage, Credit building, you want to follow her.
Aphro : Her moniker has skipped my mind now, but Ladies trying to get into the tech space should read her posts like a bible
LagosismyHome : She ever ready to give sound advice
Chukwuka16 : This Bros writing is like a dissertation. I love the details in them . one of his threads literally changed my life.
And some other OGs, Thank you guys for the invaluable contributions .

Quick one, if you are 'single single,' try to be a little strategic with relationships, enough said .


Finally,
In retrospect: What would I have done differently
Pay at least 75% of my tuition so I could focus more on school and use my 20hrs judiciously on an internship instead of working temp jobs.
Learn barbing before I came

Till next time, Na still me una brother Reporting Live !!!


Further Reading / Reference :

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/overviewoftheukpopulation/january2021

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-new-plan-to-protect-leaseholders-and-make-industry-pay-for-the-cladding-crisis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_cladding_crisis

https://www.itv.com/news/london/2021-09-08/grenfells-external-cladding-should-have-been-checked-by-risk-assessors

This was a beautiful and insightful read but please the link to the rest of your ITK is not working biko could you check to confirm it’s correct? I would hate to miss anything out of freebie from your wealth of knowledge come experience and yea..... you missed “theHRguy” moniker from your list of ancestors not to miss their posts

Pato5:
The person who told you that may have wrong information. The limit is a cbn regulation and same across banks.

You’re the one that’s wrong. It’s actually $5k or it’s equivalent. However, some schools have upkeep quoted as part of the info they avail you on your invoice but I learnt it’s easier to apply for it through the bank that processed your fees previously. That way, they have your history of required documents and it makes it easier for them to deal. Most schools include the cost of monthly upkeep of student on school fees invoice but prolly not all.

You're indeed a true Ticha. Your responses are very detailed and well articulated. I so much enjoy reading every bit of all your insightful contributions. A big thank you to You, @mamatukwa for creating this thread and everyone that has contributed so far. The wealth of knowledge available on this platform is nobody's mate at all. Gracias All!


[quote author=Ticha post=110985858]Yes that's what I mean by implementing it yourself. When we do activities, we often get the children involved in the planning. For example my eldest and his father are going kayaking today. Yesterday, they sat, planned a route, dug out everything needed, checked the life vests (cleaned them, inflated them to check for holes, deflated them and packed it away), packed 2 personal locator beacons (1 for each person), sorted fishing supplies incase they decide to do some fishing - all the while chatting about how some people do this daily ie fishermen. That led to an almost 2 hour session into the life in parts of Alaska, Nunuvat, Greenland. So in an afternoon, we covered literature, history, geography, culture, added some maths and English in there, PSHE and life skills.

The last paragraph of your response caught my attention but I hope you made a better decision still. I applied for same Fintech and got admission already but did my personal findings and read up the modules.

The field itself is just evolving so it only makes sense that it’s just developing as a field of study. Sometimes, perspective is also important but leaving your final decision to the sentiment of total strangers could make you miss a good opportunity.

The world is just embracing Fintech so what better time to get on board? Beauty of 80% research and 20% of taught lectures. Probably cause someone like me already has a banking background and know exactly what I’m looking forward to but all in all, you gave really valid points and that factor of accreditation was what made me choose MMU over Salford.

WetinUGain:
You can't compare a school that is ranked 1st to a school that is ranked 1000th. Ranking matters especially in US and UK,not in Canada. My cousin did her masters in Oxford and got so many offers immediately she finished, within and outside Uk.

Generally, life is about what you can offer and impact you want to make in the organisation. Do you ask if a doctor that wants to treat you attend top schools or lowly ranked school. But recruiters know some schools are not rich in terms of course content and tend to overlook them, students of such schools need to do extra work to be at par with other candidates, competition is crazy all over d world.

Before you apply, look at the course content and d calibre of lecturers., chats up with the current students and alumni on LinkedIn and also check comments on quora.

If you want to do finance or investment, confirm if d school is accredited by either EQUIS, AACSB, CFA or AMBA. University of Hull is ranked 601 - 800 by times higher, their financial management is accredited by AACSB, CFA and AMBA while University of Dundee ranked 201- 250 and Swansea ranked 251-300 is not accredited by any of these international bodies. Lagos Business School is accredited by AACSB and AMBA, why not schools in UK.

Wanted to go for msc financial technology, some students of some schools I chatted asked me to chill, that the course content is not rich, that the course generally in UK is being developed. They advised I rather do online courses.

WetinUGain:
You can't compare a school that is ranked 1st to a school that is ranked 1000th. Ranking matters especially in US and UK,not in Canada. My cousin did her masters in Oxford and got so many offers immediately she finished, within and outside Uk.

Generally, life is about what you can offer and impact you want to make in the organisation. Do you ask if a doctor that wants to treat you attend top schools or lowly ranked school. But recruiters know some schools are not rich in terms of course content and tend to overlook them, students of such schools need to do extra work to be at par with other candidates, competition is crazy all over d world.

Before you apply, look at the course content and d calibre of lecturers., chats up with the current students and alumni on LinkedIn and also check comments on quora.

If you want to do finance or investment, confirm if d school is accredited by either EQUIS, AACSB, CFA or AMBA. University of Hull is ranked 601 - 800 by times higher, their financial management is accredited by AACSB, CFA and AMBA while University of Dundee ranked 201- 250 and Swansea ranked 251-300 is not accredited by any of these international bodies. Lagos Business School is accredited by AACSB and AMBA, why not schools in UK.

Wanted to go for msc financial technology, some students of some schools I chatted asked me to chill, that the course content is not rich, that the course generally in UK is being developed. They advised I rather do online courses.