Nigerians have been reacting sharply to the criticisms trailing Moniepoint, with many pushing back hard against what they describe as distorted narratives and social media exaggerations about the company’s pay structure and operations.
According to Dr. Dipo Awojide, Moniepoint stands out as one of Nigeria’s strongest tech employers, founded and built by Nigerians with a largely Nigerian workforce still driving its growth. He noted that the company employs close to 30,000 Nigerians and pays above the 75th percentile of the market, with junior developers reportedly earning around ₦1 million monthly, while some technical staff earn between ₦3 million and ₦4 million, and senior roles going as high as ₦10 million. He also referenced stock options and wealth creation among staff, arguing that claims of “cheap labour exploitation” are misleading and not backed by facts.
Other commentators echoed similar sentiments, insisting that Moniepoint is not only a major employer but also one of Africa’s highest transacting fintech platforms, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s digital economy. Some supporters went further to argue that the company has created real upward mobility, citing cases of employees who have become dollar millionaires and even a Gen Z billionaire within its ranks.
Julian Dumebi Duru, speaking from an insider perspective, described the backlash as unfair, saying many Nigerians overlook how many people have been lifted out of difficult circumstances through opportunities created within the company. He also pointed to Moniepoint’s education and STEM-focused foundation initiatives as evidence of sustained social impact beyond salaries.
However, the conversation has not been one-sided. Critics have questioned the communication style of the company’s leadership, especially comments suggesting limited availability of employable talent in Nigeria. While some agree that employability challenges exist, they argue that such statements were poorly framed and dismissive of Nigerian youths contributing globally in top firms.
Marionaija also urged balance, acknowledging the misstep in messaging but warning against “manufactured narratives” aimed at cancelling a company that, in his view, pays competitively compared to many local employers. He referenced salary figures he encountered, suggesting entry-level packages can be significantly higher than Nigeria’s average wage structure.
At the same time, controversy deepened after figures circulated online claiming drastically low annual pay for certain roles, which some users used to argue the opposite—that Moniepoint underpays. This contradiction has further fueled debate, with many Nigerians now calling for clearer, verified salary benchmarks rather than scattered screenshots and anonymous claims.
Overall, the dominant response from supporters is that Moniepoint remains a major success story in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, while critics insist the conversation should not be reduced to loyalty or outrage, but grounded in transparency, context, and honest evaluation of both achievements and communication missteps.
