Uncategorized – Spencer in Lagos

Goodbye for now Lagos

In a quick turn of events due to escalating COVID-19, I have decided to return back to the US. I’m writing this from the Lagos airport as I hop on a direct flight back to the states. Why I decided to leave: Many international programs have either begun or already shut down calling participants toContinue reading “Goodbye for now Lagos”

COVID-19 and a bit of Malaria

Wherever you are, I hope you are staying healthy and insulated from the Coronavirus. I am safe and sound in Nigeria and in fact am much safer than in the US. I learned last Friday that a Mastercard employee from Brazil dropped by Chicago to share some tapas with my some old co-workers. He thenContinue reading “COVID-19 and a bit of Malaria”

Saturday is for Funerals

Hi friends,I had the opportunity the last week of February to travel to Accra, Ghana to assist with Paystack’s international expansion work. I tagged along with my coworker, who had setup meetings with all the major players in the payments ecosystem: developers, startup founders, eCommerce companies, and the biggest Telecom company in the country. ItContinue reading “Saturday is for Funerals”

Working at Paystack

I’ve finally found the time to write about Paystack. My favorite story that I like to tell people when they ask if I had any doubts about moving to Lagos goes like so: On the phone with my mother 2 days before my flight to Nigeria:My mother: “So, just to confirm. You’re SURE that PaystackContinue reading “Working at Paystack”

Tourist in Lagos

Apologies for the delay: I’m am still planning to write a post about working at Paystack, but for now please enjoy this touristy/travel post about cool things in Lagos. My first weekend, I went with a group of coworkers to the Lekki Conservation Center. Lekki is an area of Lagos about a 40 minute driveContinue reading “Tourist in Lagos”

First World Problems?

Disclaimer: Since I’ve never written a blog before, I will be experimenting a bit with format/style/etc. I’ve officially decided that the biggest difference between living in Nigeria and the US….is having to work on a Mac laptop. All joking aside, for the amount of time that I spend on a computer (8+ hours a day)Continue reading “First World Problems?”

Made it to Nigeria

Disclaimer: Since I’ve never written a blog post before, I will be experimenting a bit with format/style/etc. I made it to Nigeria!!!!!!!!!! It is (for better or for worse) everything more than what I could have imagined. Backing up a little, my total travel time from wheels up in Chicago to landing in Lagos wasContinue reading “Made it to Nigeria”

Spencer in Lagos

Hi all! This is my blog to update folks on my life as I move to Lagos, Nigeria for 6 months beginning in January of 2020. I have accepted fellowship position with Alter and will be joining the company Paystack. I’ll cover my personal/professional experiences for people interested and in order to stay connected toContinue reading “Spencer in Lagos”