30Under30 Nominee: Shalom Obakpolor

Great to hear from Significant Insights Global 30 under 30 nominee Shalom Eseoghene Obakpolor.

How did you get into the industry and reach this point?

During my master’s program, as we were finishing up with project defences, one of our lecturers asked us to submit our resumes. I thought it was for documentation, but soon after, I got a call for an interview at Pierrine Consulting. That’s how I came into the research industry, and it’s been an amazing journey ever since.

Why should anyone consider a career in market research, data, and insights?

If you love solving complex problems and making an impact on business decisions, market research is perfect. You’ll shape strategies, influence product development, and work across industries like tech and healthcare. It’s a mix of analytical thinking and creativity, with growing demand, job security, and the chance to work with innovative tools. Plus, it’s a highly collaborative and rewarding field.

Career paths are rarely without challenges. Can you share an honest moment from your career when things didn’t go quite according to plan, but the lessons remain with you to this day?

Early on, I struggled with self-doubt, which affected my performance. I learned that asking the right questions early is key to staying on track, and that mistakes are part of the learning process. Communicating effectively and embracing the chance to learn through mistakes has been invaluable.

What two things should junior researchers focus on as they progress in their careers?

First, develop strong technical skills in data analysis and research methodologies to extract valuable insights. Second, build business acumen—understanding how your insights influence decisions makes your work more strategic and impactful.

Do you have any advice for our sector?

Embrace emerging technologies like AI and machine learning to enhance insights and stay competitive. Keep an eye on changing consumer behaviors and adapt research approaches accordingly. Fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation will keep the sector forward-thinking and impactful.

And do you have anyone who has helped your career so far that you’d like to acknowledge and say thanks or give a shout out to?

I’d like to thank Seyi Adeoye for giving me the opportunity to join his organization, and my first manager Dotun for his training and patience. I’m also grateful to Paul Oziegbe and Ibukun Badejo for their support.