“What If Trust Could Be Designed?” — Microsoft Designer Tackles Digital Fear in Nigeria
Byline: IDNN Tech Desk
As Nigeria’s digital economy struggles under the weight of fear, fraud, and failed systems, one of Microsoft’s rising African tech talents is challenging conventional thinking with a bold thesis: trust can be designed.
Favour Adeniyi, a 24-year-old product designer from Jos now based in the U.S., is part of Microsoft’s Cloud + AI division. Her focus? Rebuilding digital confidence at scale — starting with onboarding systems and cybersecurity protocols used by millions globally.
“Trust is a competitive advantage,” Adeniyi said during a keynote address at Morgan State University’s Women in Computer Science event. “And in Nigeria, where nearly 40% of adults remain financially excluded, trust isn’t just missing — it’s bleeding.”
70% of Nigerian SMEs Don’t Trust Going Digital
Her remarks mirror hard truths in recent reports. According to Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), only 36% of Nigerians trust digital financial services. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) recorded an 89% surge in cyber fraud complaints between 2022 and 2023.
This data explains why more than 70% of Nigerian small businesses remain reluctant to fully digitize operations, citing fears of data theft, scams, and unreliable platforms.
Adeniyi believes design thinking — not just software coding — holds the key to unlocking Nigeria’s next tech leap. “It’s about embedding psychological safety, simplicity, and cultural context into every screen, every click, every interaction.”
From Jos to Redmond — A Journey in Design for Empowerment
Adeniyi’s journey is a story of impact. Originally from Jos, she moved to the U.S. to study computer science but found her calling in human-centered design. At Microsoft, she leads UX efforts for Azure and Microsoft 365 products — particularly around cloud onboarding and enterprise security.
“My role isn’t about pretty layouts,” she explains. “It’s about helping people feel confident using powerful tools — without fear. That’s what ‘secure by design’ means.”
She designs anti-fraud measures, onboarding flows, and trust signals that encourage adoption and reduce user drop-off, especially for global enterprise clients hesitant about digital transformation.
Rebuilding the Nigerian Tech Future Through Design
According to Adeniyi, the Nigerian tech scene needs to stop romanticizing software engineering alone and start investing in inclusive, accessible design strategies.
“When digital banking fails, it’s not always because of bad tech — sometimes, it’s bad trust experience,” she said.
Her suggestion: Nigeria must train and hire more designers, legal experts, psychologists, and anthropologists into fintech, government platforms, and e-commerce.
“Design is policy. It’s social justice. And it’s business growth.”
“We Belong in These Rooms”
Beyond her technical impact, Adeniyi is building bridges. As a mentor and speaker, she inspires young African designers to see themselves in global tech leadership. Her message is simple: the future of digital trust will be designed — and Africa must be at the table.
