In Nigeria’s dynamic tech ecosystem, few stories highlight the transformative power of self-learning and curiosity like that of Mofe Ejegi. A software engineer based in Delta State, Mofe currently works as a Senior Android Engineer at Banque Misr and is a member of the Andela Talent Network. With a strong foothold in FinTech and a deep passion for mobile development—especially in the Kotlin ecosystem—he’s making a name for himself across continents.
In this interview, Mofe talks about his journey from engineering school to software development, his insights into mobile architecture, and why he believes the future is cross-platform.
Let’s start from the beginning. What initially drew you to engineering, and how did that shift to software development?
As a child, I always had a knack for solving problems, though there was really no specific avenue to express this skill other than my academics. I eventually chose to study Civil Engineering, mostly because I wasn’t sure about what kind of problems I wanted to solve. My dad reliably told me Civil Engineering was more lucrative, so I went for it.
I’ve also always loved computers. About three years into my engineering degree, I realized I wanted something different, so I started learning how to write software—and here I am today.
Why mobile development, specifically? What was your entry point?
I believe I’m an artist, and artists love to create and showcase their work to an audience. So naturally, I wanted to build software that could easily get into the hands of users.
I started mobile development in 2014, during the Android phone boom (especially Tecno phones) in Nigeria. It was particularly huge among university students at the time. I learned to build Android apps to appeal to the students around me, and that ultimately kickstarted my career in mobile development.
How did growing up in Delta State shape or challenge your tech journey?
Growing up in Delta State didn’t do much for me in terms of technical problem-solving. The tech scene here wasn’t exactly bubbling, and most of my exposure came from the computers we had at home.
You’ve worked with several FinTech companies. Which experience stands out the most?
I’ve been working in FinTech for some time now, and my most exciting experience was building for Branch International. I had the opportunity to work across multiple teams and develop products like core lending features, digital wallets, investment platforms, debit cards, and credit scoring systems across Africa and even India. It was truly an exciting and expansive experience.
When building for millions of users, what becomes your top priority?
When building apps at scale—used by millions—my biggest consideration is error management. The smallest change can lead to unexpected side effects and overwhelm customer support with complaints. So, I put a lot of emphasis on setting up a rigorous testing pipeline to catch issues before they ever reach the users’ devices.
You’re bullish on Kotlin Multiplatform and Compose Multiplatform. Why?
Right now, I’m bullish on Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) and Compose Multiplatform (CMP) for cross-platform development. With them, you get a native Android app and can decide how much of your iOS app you want to write in KMP/CMP. It’s really the best of both worlds.
What’s your history with Kotlin, and how has Jetpack Compose changed your development workflow?
Originally a Java guy, I’ve loved Kotlin since I started using it for Android development. Its readability and modern syntax just clicked with me.
Jetpack Compose, with its declarative approach, made everything even better. It allows me to build applications much faster. It’s the industry standard now, and I encourage every mobile developer to try it out.
Tell us about your work at Yassir. What was your biggest technical challenge there?
While working at Yassir, I undertook the massive task of separating the core business logic of their store and restaurant apps and moving it into a shared library accessible by both Android and iOS teams. It was a daunting task—especially with the responsibility of monitoring both platforms and aligning with other engineers and management.
I used Maven and Swift Package Manager (SPM) to distribute the libraries, and once everything was synced, development speed improved significantly.
What architectural patterns do you rely on most in your work, and why?
As for architecture, I lean on Clean Architecture, MVVM, and sometimes MVI. These patterns serve as great blueprints for writing apps that scale and are maintainable. Since many developers are familiar with them, onboarding and collaboration become much easier.
You’ve begun writing and publishing about mobile development. What motivates you to share your experiences?
Recently, as I’ve grown more senior and begun experimenting with new technologies, I’ve become more motivated to share my experiences.
Publishing on The New Stack and the Andela Blog was a huge honor. Mobile development is incredibly dynamic right now, and while there are tons of conversations happening, I choose to speak on topics grounded in my own experience—especially with new tools and emerging patterns.
Has teaching others impacted your own growth as an engineer?
Teaching others definitely deepens my own knowledge. Writing and speaking force me to fact-check myself and articulate complex concepts clearly, which in turn strengthens my expertise.
You’re also involved in open-source. What drives your contributions?
My main drive for contributing to open source is a sense of responsibility. The developer community has given me so much; it only feels right to give back.
I advise new contributors to start with open-source projects they already use. It’s easier to spot gaps and make impactful suggestions when you’re familiar with the codebase.
What’s the most fulfilling part of contributing to open-source projects?
The most rewarding part of contributing is seeing my changes accepted. Nothing beats that feeling of adding value and being acknowledged by your peers.
What’s your outlook on the future of mobile development?
Looking ahead, I see mobile development getting more saturated as it continues to excite more people. There’s going to be serious competition between Flutter, React Native, and KMP/CMP for cross-platform dominance.
Personally, I’m still experimenting with CMP and I plan to release an iOS app soon to demonstrate just how ready it is for mainstream adoption.
How do you stay up-to-date in such a fast-moving ecosystem?
Staying up to date in this fast-paced ecosystem is tough, but I try to stay active in communities—especially the official Kotlin Slack channel. It’s a great place to interact with bright minds and learn from what others are building.
What does inclusion in tech mean to you, and how do you approach mentorship?
Inclusion in tech, for me, means giving everyone the opportunity and resources to be part of the ecosystem. I take a very informal approach to mentorship.
I like giving mentees a relaxed space to grow. I usually teach with hands-on examples and small projects that reflect real-world scenarios so they can understand what it’s like to build meaningful products._
Any final advice for aspiring developers—especially those in Nigeria?
To aspiring developers—especially in Nigeria—I’d say: Learn a lot. Listen a lot. Keep your mind open and put yourself out there. People need to see your work and hear your voice if you want to make an impact.
What’s one myth about mobile development you wish more people would unlearn?
One myth I’d love to debunk is that mobile development is “just another frontend stack.” It’s more than that.
It combines aspects of frontend, backend, device-specific challenges, and performance optimization into one cohesive experience. It also bridges the gap between online and offline in a way that web apps simply don’t.
And if you weren’t coding today, what would you be doing instead?
If I weren’t coding, I’d probably be reading fiction and learning to write stories. I still say I want to be a writer when I grow up._
What’s next for you professionally?
Professionally, my next goal is to build something that truly impacts millions. I’m focusing on impact and reach now. I’m still waiting for that spark—whether it’s an idea of my own or something within a larger organization. Time will tell.
