While many entrepreneurs launch their careers with MBAs, family wealth, or a network of powerful contacts, Nicholas Nome started with nothing more than an old computer, an internet connection, and an insatiable curiosity about how the digital world worked.
Growing up in Nigeria, Nome discovered his passion for technology early. During his secondary school days—when data plans were a luxury—he started a blog dedicated to helping Nigerians bypass expensive browsing costs. He shared configuration settings, phone hacks, and step-by-step guides that made the internet more accessible to everyday users. What began as a hobby soon evolved into a full-fledged digital community, giving him his first real taste of online publishing, digital marketing, and search engine visibility.
Those humble beginnings planted a seed. It wasn’t just about saving people money on data—it was about using knowledge to solve a real problem. That mindset has stayed with him ever since.
Building Skills the Hard Way
Rather than waiting for formal training, Nome took the DIY route. He taught himself web development and software programming while juggling roles as a webmaster, blogger, and freelance developer. Each project added a new layer to his skill set—website design, digital strategy, and custom software solutions. His goal was always the same: build things that made people’s lives easier.
From Saybaba to Sellsbaba: Lessons in E-Commerce
In 2014, Nome launched Saybaba.com—an ambitious e-commerce marketplace aimed at connecting buyers and sellers across Nigeria. By 2018, the platform had evolved into Sellsbaba. Though it didn’t become a household name, the venture was a masterclass in product development, customer behaviour, startup operations, and the cutthroat nature of Nigeria’s tech scene.
Nome never saw it as a failure. He saw it as a crash course—an expensive, time-consuming, but ultimately invaluable education that would prepare him for something bigger.
Paynownow: The Fintech Breakthrough
Armed with the hard-won lessons of his e-commerce days, Nome launched Paynownow in 2020—a one-stop digital payments platform offering airtime, data, bill payments, TV subscriptions, transfers, and gift cards. The idea was simple: make everyday transactions seamless for Nigerians who were tired of juggling multiple apps and platforms.
A turning point came when investors came knocking. Nome made a bold choice: he turned them down to keep full ownership. He believed that staying independent would let him steer the company according to his own vision, not the short-term demands of external shareholders.
Expanding Beyond Payments
Nome’s ambition didn’t stop at fintech. He has since moved into real estate with Paynownow Properties and ventured into international logistics—moves that reflect his belief in using technology to solve practical, everyday challenges.
The Philosophy Behind the Hustle
Nome’s journey—from a teenage blogger sharing free browsing hacks to the founder of a growing fintech ecosystem—proves that success isn’t about where you start. It’s about curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to learn from every stumble along the way.
