#HumansOfZest : Ibrahim Saheed - Our Lead, Business Operations

At Zest, Business Operations is the backbone of seamless transactions, ensuring merchant settlements, reconciliations, and dispute resolution run smoothly. Without this, financial risks, fraud, and settlement delays could impact both Zest and its merchants. Leading this essential function is Ibrahim Saheed, who ensures everything runs like clockwork.

Ibrahim’s day starts early, waking at 5 a.m. for his morning Solat before preparing for the day ahead. After a home-cooked breakfast, he sets out by 6:45 a.m., joining the daily rush of unpredictable traffic in Lagos, Ibrahim has mastered the timing to avoid the worst of it.

By 8 a.m., he arrives at the office, greeting colleagues before settling into his first task, reviewing reports on previous day transactions and settlement schedules. This gives him a clear picture of the numbers, ensuring everything aligns as expected. With insights in hand, he delegates tasks to his team, setting priorities for the day ahead.

As a leader, his inbox is always active. Emails range from settlement queries to reconciliation updates and strategic discussions on optimizing operational processes. Some days, his calendar is packed with management or finance meetings, aligning on critical business goals.

Lunch for Ibrahim is simple, often biscuits or agbalumo, a quick break before diving back into work. When the pace allows, he observes his afternoon Solat, a moment of stillness in a city that never slows down.

Once a week, he hosts team meetings, ensuring alignment on key initiatives and tackling operational challenges. His role isn’t just about processes. It’s about precision, efficiency, and safeguarding financial integrity.

By 5 p.m., as the office begins to quiet, Ibrahim heads home, choosing the best route to avoid Lagos’ evening gridlock. Once home, he spends time with his family, a priority that balances his fast-paced work life. Evenings include prayer, reflection, and unwinding with a good book to expand his knowledge as a business operations leader.

Weekends are dedicated to his wife and two boys, a time to reset, recharge, and enjoy quality moments.

From ensuring timely settlements to safeguarding Zest’s financial operations, Ibrahim plays a critical role in keeping the wheels turning. His dedication, discipline, and leadership are essential to Zest’s mission, ensuring stability, trust, and efficiency for every merchant on the platform.