Seye Bandele: The relentless pursuit of a childhood dream

Like many kids, Seye Bandele had a simple, clear dream. “My career ambition was to become a billionaire,” he recalls. But as adulthood set in, he quickly realised that the path to that goal was anything but easy. Still, with his determination and brilliant work ethic, he might be on the right track.

Seye’s journey began within the walls of his father’s library, where his curiosity and ambition first took root. By age ten, he had memorised the names of all the countries in the world, foreshadowing his path as an insatiable learner and future leader. This curiosity and ambition persisted through childhood, starting with a dream to become a writer, and later evolving into a passion for tech entrepreneurship as he grew older. 

Today, Seye is the co-founder and CEO of PaidHR, a Nigerian startup transforming how African businesses manage their HR functions. Under his leadership, PaidHR handles payroll for 250 companies, impacting the lives of around 25,000 employees. This success is the result of Seye’s relentless ambition, drive, and the experiences that have shaped his journey—a story worth diving into.

An unconventional childhood

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Seye’s family relocated to Ibadan when he was five, driven by his father’s need for a more peaceful and quiet environment after retirement. With his dad mostly at home and his mum working at a bank, Seye’s childhood was shaped by an academic focus, leaving little room for typical childhood activities like video games or cable TV. Instead, he found entertainment in his father’s vast library, immersing himself in books that fueled a love for knowledge—a foundation that would later play a key role in his success.

Seye acknowledges that his strict upbringing gave him a significant academic advantage, helping shape his ambitious goals for the future. His early exposure to books ignited a desire to become a writer. However, like many high-achieving students in Nigerian schools, his academic brilliance steered him toward the sciences. Reflecting on that experience, Seye remarked, "In hindsight, I should have gone to art class."

Being in the sciences and reading about successful tech entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison, Jerry Yang, and David Filo sparked Seye's interest in technology. He set his sights on studying computer science at university, however, he was admitted to study agricultural science instead, and his parents urged him to accept the course. Determined to pursue his original dream, he attempted to retake the university entrance exams but was unable to—a minor setback on his path to becoming a tech entrepreneur.

Undeterred by the setback and uninterested in studying agricultural science, Seye redirected his focus to writing, launching Showoff Magazine, the first campus journal at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. From his second year until graduation, he published and sold magazine copies. Reflecting on that time, Seye shared, "My focus was on how to sell enough copies to make enough money to establish another business. It was business first and academics second."

Building a Path to Entrepreneurship  

After graduating, Seye chose to complete his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja to gain a fresh perspective on life. There, he trained as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyst, working with a private consultancy that developed software for land administration. During this period, he met Lekan Omotosho, who would later become his co-founder at PaidHR.  

He spent three years in the field, gaining first-hand experience in the business side of technology while also taking software development courses. However, the inconsistency and bureaucracy within government agencies prompted him to move back to Lagos, where he transitioned into marketing and strategy roles at organisations like DealDey, Yudala, and Konga. His sharp intellect allowed him to rise to managerial positions quickly. While in Lagos, Seye, alongside Lekan, continued developing software applications for government agencies, including the Abia State GIS system, which remains in use today.

Seye noticed the disconnect between management and employees throughout his career at various organisations. He mentally documented his experiences from an employee's perspective, recognising that “there is a gap between management and employees in terms of what they really want from their jobs and how they wish to be compensated and appreciated.” This insight, combined with his long-standing entrepreneurial aspirations, motivated him to co-found PaidHR with his former business partner, Lekan Omotosho. 

Building PaidHR

Seye’s entrepreneurial spirit has been evident since childhood, fueled by a desire to create impactful tech solutions. Drawing from his previous experiences, his initial idea was to develop an employee engagement product that would enhance visibility and amplify employee voices within organisations.

However, alongside his co-founder, he recognised that they first needed to build a platform that supports employers to address employee needs effectively. This insight led to the development of the human resource software Pade HCM, which was later rebranded to PaidHR in July 2024.

Seye believes that an organisation’s success relies not just on sales and financial management, but also on effective people management. PaidHR embodies these principles through its operations, maintaining a strong focus on employee management, which has resulted in an impressive attrition rate of just 5% over the past three years. This figure showcases their commitment to fostering a positive work environment and enhancing employee retention.

With services like earned wage access and employee benefits administration, PaidHR strives to assist employers in managing their workforce while improving the well-being of employees and their families. As Seye puts it, “I am deeply focused on mastering the art of people management. I constantly ask myself, how can I ensure everyone’s interests are safeguarded?”

Moving forward

While Seye hasn't yet achieved billionaire status, his childhood dream remains unwavering. When asked about his future, he confidently states, “There’s billions in my future.” Alongside his ambition for wealth, he is deeply passionate about education, aspiring to offer quality learning opportunities to many. He believes Africa can leverage its youthful population to build a better society through education. 

“Africa can do so much more if we provide better quality education, so we must design and deliver proper education for the next generation,” Seye asserts.

As CEO of a growing team, Seye continually seeks ways to inspire high performance among his employees. PaidHR has created a payroll experience that balances the needs of both employers and employees and is now planning to expand into foreign markets.

Reflecting on his journey, he emphasises, “My co-founder and I treat this opportunity like it’s our last. For every dollar spent, we see how it will return tenfold.”

Seye’s transition from an aspiring writer to the co-founder of one of Africa’s top payroll software companies exemplifies his commitment to his passion and the extraordinary outcomes that can result from perseverance.