Muhammad Popoola
- •-• LinkedIn • Github
Software Engineer
Experienced Software Engineer with over 5 years of expertise in developing high-performance
microservices for financial services, digital banking, marketing, and content management, utilizing cloud
technologies to drive efficiency and user engagement.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
• Languages & Frameworks: Java, Spring Boot, PHP, Laravel, WordPress, JavaScript, React
• Databases & Tools: MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB, JPA/Hibernate, Docker, Kubernetes
• Cloud & DevOps: Microsoft Azure, Red Hat OpenShift, AWS (ECS, S3, Lambda), GitHub Actions, CI/CD
• APIs & Integration: REST APIs, OAuth2, Webhooks, NIBSS, Finacle, Payment gateways
• Methodologies: Microservices Architecture, Agile, TDD
WORK EXPERIENCE
Stanbic IBTC Bank
Software Engineer
05/2024 - Present
Lagos, Nigeria
• Architected and deployed Quick Airtime Recharge Service, a high-throughput microservice enabling 1M+
daily mobile top-ups across major telecoms using Java, Spring Boot, Oracle, Docker, and OpenShift:
• Decomposed the service into payment, reversal, and fulfillment microservices, reducing response
times by 30% through parallel processing and optimized query execution.
• Optimized airtime reversal workflows, achieving near-instant reversals in minutes (previously hours
for some cases) through an optimized architecture.
• Integrated NIBSS Automated Payment Services (NAPS), enabling real-time and bulk transaction
processing using Java/JEE, Spring Boot, REST APIs, Oracle, and OpenShift:
• Developed microservices for payroll, pensions, and vendor payments, supporting 2M+ users monthly.
• Automated batch disbursements, reducing manual effort and errors.
• Ensured transactional integrity through logging, dual authorization, and core banking integration.
• Enabled disbursement of billions of Naira in payroll, investments, and pensions weekly.
• Built the Non-Resident Biometric Verification System (NRBVN) for customers in the diaspora, enabling
seamless BVN enrollment, multi-currency domiciliary account opening, and remittance services through a
scalable digital KYC and onboarding system.
• Optimized the Funds Transfer Reversal Service to enable efficient interbank and intrabank reversal
processing using Java, Spring Boot, and Azure, cutting processing time to under 1 minute, reducing
manual effort by 40%, and boosting efficiency through real-time Finacle and NIP integration.
• Developed a Consent Management System that ensures compliant user consent across digital banking
and third-party integrations, implemented as a microservice with granular scopes and audit logging for
regulatory traceability.
• Led Legacy Banking Services Modernization converting Java/Apache Camel SOAP services to Spring Boot
REST APIs, containerizing services, and deploying on Azure Improving API performance by 50%.
• Optimized critical banking services (wallet management, account operations, customer data) into secure,
scalable microservices using Java, Spring Boot, and Azure, reducing processing times by 40%.
• Automated bank statement generation, reducing turnaround time by 70% and banking hall queues.
• Implemented an instant notification system for SMS and email alerts in time-critical services, ensuring
instant delivery and improving customer engagement by 25%.
• Introduced caching and background job queues, enhancing response times and throughput under load.
CRIFS
01/2024 - 06/2025
Remote
Software Engineer
• Developed Money Transfer System, a high-performance platform for real-time payments and crypto
conversions using Java, Spring Boot, MySQL, Docker, and GitHub Actions:
• Built asynchronous module for NIP transactions, ensuring low-latency transfers.
• Integrated fiat-to-crypto APIs for multi-currency transfers with real-time rate reconciliation.
• Designed webhook system for payment status updates, ensuring real-time synchronization.
• Developed KYC verification flow with tier-based onboarding and identity service integrations.
• Created transaction statement and fee computation modules for detailed ledger reporting.
• Engineered Investment and Asset Management Platform, a scalable system for fund allocation and
profit distribution using Java, Spring Boot, MySQL, and Docker:
• Automated monthly profit rewards and maturity updates, eliminating manual processes.
• Implemented secure withdrawal flows and balance tracking for seamless redemptions.
• Optimized relational schemas for financial calculations, ensuring audit readiness and data integrity.
• Standardized APIs with detailed documentation, enabling seamless frontend/mobile integration and faster
time-to-market.
Pareto Publishing
06/2022 - 04/2024
Software Developer
Europe, Remote
• Built Automated News Curation Platform, an engine for scraping and curating news content using PHP,
Laravel, React, AWS, MySQL, and CRON:
• Developed scraping engine for 50+ news sites, reducing manual sourcing by 90%.
• Implemented content classification, increasing click/open rates by 37% with targeted content.
• Enabled 70% more newsletters/blogs published daily, boosting ROI through dynamic templates.
• Delivered dashboard API for content review, regeneration, and manual scheduling.
• Designed Centralized Ad Management Platform, a self-service system for ad creation and scheduling
using PHP, Laravel, React, AWS, and MySQL:
• Built systems, APIs, and web interfaces for ad creation/scheduling, cutting planning time by 70%.
• Enabled creative reusability with metadata tagging and media library integration.
• Integrated with the News curation platform and newsletter engine for rule-based ad injection.
• Onboarded 58% more advertisers within 6 months.
• Developed News Content Plugin, an intelligent tool for image suggestions in news content using PHP,
Laravel, MySQL, and REST APIs:
• Parsed titles for semantic keyword extraction, fetching royalty-free images.
• Integrated with news curation tool for newsletters, WordPress sites, and blogs.
• Cached results and created an image fallback library, reducing design workload by 80%.
• Improved click-through rates with consistent, relevant imagery.
• Engineered Data-Driven Email Campaign Optimization, a backend suite for large-scale email
campaigns using PHP, MySQL, and AWS (Athena, ECS, S3):
• Automated ETL pipelines with AWS Athena and Functions, saving $3,000/month.
• Built segmentation system analyzing open/click rates, boosting engagement with customized
content.
• Developed APIs and KPI dashboards for open rate, click rate, and revenue lift.
• Optimized queries for hundreds of millions of records, enhancing performance.
Atlantic Appliance
Software Engineer
02/2022 - 06/2022
New York, USA, Remote
• Developed Appliance Parts Price Intelligence Platform, a tool for tracking and predicting appliance part
prices using PHP, JavaScript, MySQL, and React:
• Built modular scraping engine to handle anti-bot protections and data normalization.
• Developed algorithms for predictive pricing, enabling 35% cost savings.
• Created React-based web interface for price comparisons and trend visualizations.
• Implemented filter/search features, improving usability for B2B/B2C users.
Education Online Nigeria (EON)
Software Developer
01/2020 - 02/2022
Lagos, Nigeria, Hybrid
• Designed Self-Service E-Library Platform, a user-friendly system for digitizing school libraries using PHP,
Laravel, MySQL, JavaScript, Docker, and AWS S3:
• Enabled library digitization in under 5 minutes with intuitive onboarding.
• Built content uploading, search, and access control features.
• Integrated AWS S3 for scalable file hosting, supporting multiple formats.
• Supported branding/themes and role-based user management for diverse institutions.
• Developed Centralized School Management System, an all-in-one platform for school operations using
PHP, Laravel, MySQL, JavaScript, and Docker:
• Automated student registration, grading, and fee management, increasing accuracy by 70%.
• Built financial engine for invoicing and real-time reporting, reducing manual workload by 60%.
• Implemented assignment distribution, GPA calculation, and ID generation.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
University of Ilorin • GPA: First Class
Ilorin • 10/2021
• Thesis: Short-Term Load Forecasting for Residential Buildings (MATLAB, Python)
• Developed a fuzzy logic-based forecasting model to predict short-term electricity load demand for
residential buildings.
• Leveraged meteorological and historical data to improve power generation planning, reduce costs,
and support smarter energy distribution.
