#HumansOfZest: Paul Opara - Our Lead, Operational Risk

Operational Risk is the backbone of organisational resilience. It involves safeguarding against disruptions, whether from human error, system failures, or external shocks, ensuring business continuity even when the unexpected strikes. At Zest, Paul Opara leads this vital function with a blend of planning and calm authority, ensuring risks are managed before they become roadblocks.

Paul’s day starts at 5:30 AM, a time he embraces for its stillness amid Lagos’s buzz. A brief prayer, followed by a lively play session with his dog. As a devoted dog lover, these morning moments are sacred, his only undisturbed time with his pet before the day’s demands take over. By 6 AM, he shifts to a workout session, a non-negotiable habit, or occasionally cooks breakfast if creativity strikes. Before 7 AM, he leaves home, navigating Lagos’s chaotic roads, aiming to reach the office by 8.

Emails come first. Paul scans his inbox for updates, then connects with teams across departments to track pending tasks. His role spans incident management, resolving delayed settlements, pinpointing emerging risks, and overseeing client onboarding approvals. As Lead, Operational Risk, he balances hands-on problem-solving with mentoring his team and aligning strategies with the Director of Risk and Compliance.

No two days mirror each other. One hour might involve dissecting a settlement delay, the next refining risk-assessment frameworks. Breaks are short, lunch is often squeezed between meetings, but Paul loves the fast-paced rhythm. For him, proactive planning is key: anticipating issues before they escalate keeps the team focused and calm.

On paper, Paul’s workday ends at 5 PM. In reality, Lagos traffic dictates otherwise. To avoid gridlock, he often stays until 8 PM, using the quiet hours to strategise or explore his latest interest: AI in risk management. He’s currently studying how artificial intelligence can predict and mitigate operational risks, a topic he pursues with quiet determination. By the time he arrives home at 11 PM, sleep is a priority, though he occasionally sneaks in late-night reading on tech trends.

Weekends are his time to recharge. Saturdays start with the gym, followed by relaxing at home, and end with evenings at his favourite spots. Sundays mix church, family, and his passion: karaoke. He’s a karaoke fanatic, from Afrobeats to ballads, he sings it all. ‘That’s my way of unwinding,’ he says.

Paul approaches risk management as a balance between structure and humanity. He believes robust processes should empower teams, not constrain them, and that a dash of spontaneity, like an off-key karaoke performance, keeps life in perspective. At Zest, his leadership ensures operational risks are managed seamlessly, freeing others to innovate with confidence.