Software EngineerEngineering Lead @ RecommendRemote-ready

Hi, I'm Chinweike.I build softwarebusinesses canrely on.

I'm a software engineer with 4+ years of experience building the systems that keep products running: payments, user accounts and security, live chat and AI features, across fintech, marketplaces and commerce. I've led an engineering team, rebuilt live platforms used by thousands of people, and I care about one thing above all: software that works, every time, for real users.

See my work
Get in touch
400+
technicians rely on a platform I helped rebuild
3,000+
customers have downloaded an app powered by my work
80%+
fewer support calls after I rebuilt a payments wallet
<1s
app response time, down from about 3 seconds
4+
years building software for real businesses
  • Node.js
  • TypeScript
  • NestJS
  • Express
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • Redis
  • Prisma
  • TypeORM
  • RabbitMQ
  • React
  • Next.js
  • Socket.IO
  • Paystack
  • OpenAI
  • Docker
  • Jenkins
  • GitHub Actions
  • Tailwind CSS
01 — About me
Portrait of Akwolu Innocent Chinweike
Akwolu Innocent ChinweikeLagos, NG

Beyond the code, I think in systems.

I'm Akwolu Innocent Chinweike, Chinweike to most people. I studied Civil Engineering at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, where the first rule is simple: design for the heaviest load, not the average day.

I carry that rule into software. Before I write any code, I want to understand who will use it, what the business needs from it, and what could go wrong. Then I build it to be clear, secure and dependable, and to stay that way as the product grows.

I'm at my best when a product has to be right, not just ready: clear thinking, honest communication, and software that keeps working long after launch.

Education
B.Eng. Civil Engineering, Second Class Upper
Experience
4+ years building software
Focus
Backend & full-stack engineering
Based in
Lagos, Nigeria · works remotely
02 — Selected work

Real products, real customers, measurable results.

All projects →
Velofi · Backend Software Engineer2026 — now

Building the core of a fintech platform: signing customers up safely, opening their accounts and paying their returns on time.

  • Built the full sign-up journey, from registration and identity checks (BVN) to a ready-to-use account
  • Built monthly and annual investment payouts that can never pay a customer twice
  • Designed one-device-at-a-time login: a new device needs the owner's email approval and a WhatsApp code
TypeScriptNode.jsPostgreSQLRedisDocker
Read the case study →
Fixr · Backend Software Engineer2025 — 2026

Took over a live services marketplace and rebuilt the parts that handle money, speed and customer support.

  • Rebuilt the technician wallet: support calls for urgent funds fell by an estimated 80%
  • Made the app respond in under a second, down from about three
  • Stopped double charges on payments and added in-app chat between customers and technicians
JavaScriptMySQLKnex.jsSocket.IOPaystack
Read the case study →
Recommend · Engineering Lead2024 — 2025

Led the engineering team that moved a growing commerce business off WhatsApp and onto its own app.

  • Led a team of three and owned the technical direction of the whole product
  • Built live in-app chat and purchasing to replace WhatsApp conversations
  • Set up automated releases so the team could ship faster and more safely
NestJSTypeScriptPostgreSQLTypeORMNext.js
Read the case study →
Docusense · AI product2025

An AI assistant that answers questions from a company's own documents.

PDF
Embeddings
Ollama

Upload business documents and get accurate answers and summaries in seconds, powered by a self-hosted AI model.

View on GitHub →
Agricon · Agriculture2024

Helping small-scale farmers find affordable storage and processing for their harvest.

Farmer
Co-op booking
Facility

A booking platform that connects farmers with storage, drying and processing facilities, designed to cut losses after harvest.

View project →
03 — Experience

10 roles. One through-line: ownership.

Full history →
  1. 2026 – Present
    Backend Software Engineer
    Velofi
    Building the core of a fintech platform: customer sign-up and verification, account opening, investment payouts and account security.
    Hybrid · Contract
  2. Nov 2025 – Aug 2026
    Backend Software Engineer
    Fixr
    Rebuilt payments and the technician wallet, made the app about three times faster, and added in-app chat.
    Hybrid
  3. Aug 2024 – Nov 2025
    Engineering Lead
    Recommend
    Led a team of three and moved customer conversations and sales from WhatsApp into the company's own app.
    Remote
Showing 3 of 10 roles
04 — How I work

Build with purpose. Engineer for reliability.

01

I build it to work, every time

Payments and customer data can't be "mostly right". I plan for what can go wrong, not just the happy path.

Proof · No double payments at Velofi or Fixr
02

I own the outcome

From the database to the screen to the release, I see work through end to end, so nothing falls between the cracks.

Proof · Led web, backend and bot systems at Recommend
03

I make the team better

Clear communication with product and design, careful code reviews, and processes that help everyone ship faster.

Proof · Practices adopted across every Recommend project
05 — Skills

What I work with.

Building the backend
  • Node.js · TypeScript
  • NestJS · Express
  • APIs & partner integrations
  • Live chat (WebSockets)
  • Logins, roles & security
Data & databases
  • PostgreSQL · MySQL
  • MongoDB · Redis
  • Database design & tuning
Payments, identity & AI
  • Paystack payments
  • BVN identity checks
  • OpenAI & AI assistants
  • Email & WhatsApp messaging
Frontend & shipping
  • React · Next.js
  • Docker · Jenkins
  • Automated releases (CI/CD)
  • GitHub Actions
06 — Writing

Sharing what I learn.

All writing →
07 — Contact

Hiring an engineerwho takes ownership?Let's talk.

I'm open to full-time backend and full-stack roles, remote or hybrid, and to select contract projects. I usually reply within one working day.

WhatsApp
LinkedIn
GitHub
X / Twitter
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