If someone had told Ifeoluwa five years ago that she would not end up practising law, she would have laughed it off, convinced that her future was rooted in legal practice.
Meet Ifeoluwa Ogunbufunmi, a millennial female tech leader who transitioned from being a lawyer to a powerhouse in startup strategy & advisory. She has over nine years of experience in operational implementation, strategy design, and tangible value creation in the world’s most dynamic sectors.
As an accomplished Nigerian who has been living in the UK for over four years, she has built a track record of driving success in organisations with true global reach, having led go-to-market strategy and operations across international markets in EMEA, the UK and Ireland regions.
Her professional trajectory includes key roles at Amazon Web Services (London), Global Ventures (Dubai), Flutterwave (Africa), Banwo & Ighodalo (Africa), and the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON (Nigeria).
Further solidifying her global credentials, Ifeoluwa holds a Master’s in Business Administration degree from the University of Oxford and has been officially recognised by the UK Government as a UK Global Talent (Tech Strategy Leader).
She is the Founder & Chief Strategist of SWIF (strategywithifeoluwa.com), a global startup advisory firm in the UK. Her expertise positions her as the go-to execution partner for Corporations, International Organisations, and Government-led startup initiatives.
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How Ifeoluwa transitioned from law
Ifeoluwa’s career began in Lagos, where she studied law at the University of Lagos before being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2017.
Her early interests centred on legal practice, strengthened by internships at leading law firms like Olaniwun Ajayi and a top multilateral financial institution, the Africa Finance Corporation. However, Ifeoluwa’s transition into public policy and technology was sparked by a conversation with her mentor, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the minister for Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria.
Her mentor, who was working with the former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as one of his senior advisors, challenged her status quo.
“I don’t get it. How can you have a mentor who works at the highest level of government, and you’re not trying to gain that level of experience? The law firms are always going to be there. They’re not going anywhere. You know, working in government is not a permanent role in life. So, if I’m here now, explore the opportunity.”
At 22, this advice made her pause and move to Abuja, where she contributed to Nigeria’s ease of doing business reforms under the Office of the Vice President. This role exposed her to international stakeholders, global policy conversations, and complex national projects
Afterwards, she later joined Banwo & Ighodalo as a Finance Associate and co-created the firm’s FinTech team before moving on to Flutterwave, Africa’s most valuable startup. Her admission into the University of Oxford’s MBA programme accelerated her move to the UK and broadened her global exposure.
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How Ifeoluwa started SWIF in the UK
After relocating, Ifeoluwa established SWIF (strategywithifeoluwa.com), an advisory firm supporting founders, accelerators, governments, and corporations. Her work spans market penetration, pitch development, and investor readiness, reaching clients in more than 23 countries.
Operating from the UK has been both a strategic advantage and a lesson in self-belief. She attributes much of her progress to her experiences in Nigeria, which strengthened her case for the UK Global Talent visa.
“Do not ignore their experiences from home. You’ve worked hard, you’ve put in your best. Don’t move abroad and think that you have to start all over. It begins in the mind, and regardless of external pressures, you must push past the feeling that you have to reset your career. This mindset is what drives me daily,” she said.
Final thoughts
In her advice to anyone seeking a career shift, Ifeoluwa encourages them to commit to the process, embrace learning, and remain visible. Transitioning, she says, demands intentional effort.
“The first step is to realise that no one is going to make it happen for you. The second is to ask yourself how badly you want it. And the third is to show up consistently. The right people are always watching,” Ifeoluwa said.
The second step is to ask yourself, “How bad do I want this? How much do I want this? Am I willing to do what it takes to get it?” and the third step is to learn to show up! If you don’t step in front of people and literally share your expertise, interests, and skills, others will.
