She’s Raising a Child, Married to a Military Officer, and Recruiting Talents Globally.

Ekeka | Proof of Life - Episode 41

Jun 20, 2026

I’ve known Ekeka for a while now, long enough to have seen different phases of her journey unfold.

From early creative experiments and photography moments to the more layered and grounded life she is building today. There is something quietly rewarding about watching someone you have seen grow continue to evolve into themselves in such a steady and intentional way.

In this edition of Proof of Life, we sit with Ekeka, wife, mother, global recruiter, military spouse, football fan, and someone living fully inside the tension of many roles at once.

What does “Proof of Life” mean in a season where identity is split across responsibilities, rest is interrupted, ambition stretches across borders, and love and duty often compete for attention?

For her, it is not about having everything figured out. It is about showing up anyway. It is faith in motion. It is the daily decision to keep building, loving, working, and hoping even when life feels heavy and unpredictable.

From childhood values that shaped her discipline and sense of responsibility, to a career that moved from tech into global recruitment, to the realities of marriage, motherhood, and constant adjustment, Ekeka’s story reflects something many people live but rarely say out loud. What it means to keep becoming while still carrying life as it is.

This is not a story about balance.

It is a story about presence. Enjoy POL!

What does “Proof of Life” mean to you in this current season as a wife, mother, recruiter, football fan, and all-around juggler of responsibilities?

Proof of Life, to me, is not about having everything figured out; it’s about showing up.
It’s waking up after a night of interrupted sleep because your toddler decided 3 a.m. was the perfect time to negotiate life. It’s taking a recruitment call while trying to figure out dinner. It’s praying for your partner while he’s away on duty and still finding the emotional energy to encourage someone else.
This season has taught me that life isn’t measured only by achievements. Sometimes the greatest proof that you’re alive is that you keep loving, serving, building, learning, and hoping despite the weight you carry. For me, Proof of Life is faith in motion.

When people look at your life today, they see someone balancing so many roles with grace. But let’s go back a little. What kind of childhood shaped you? What lessons from growing up still influence how you move through life today?

I grew up believing that education, hard work, and integrity were non-negotiable.
My childhood wasn’t defined by luxury; it was defined by values. I learned early that nobody owes you success; you have to prepare for opportunities before they arrive.
One lesson that still shapes me is that excellence is a form of respect. Respect for God, for people, and for the opportunities you’ve been given.
I also learned resilience. Nigerians often joke that we can survive anything, but there is so much truth and power in that. Growing up taught me how to adapt, how to keep moving when circumstances aren’t ideal, and how to create opportunities instead of waiting for them.

You’ve become a global recruiter, helping companies find talent across different markets and industries. How did you discover recruitment, and at what point did you realize, “I think I’m actually good at this”?

What’s funny is that I didn’t start in recruitment; I started in tech as an IT Infrastructure Engineer. I was deploying servers, solving infrastructure problems, supporting clients, and working on cloud and migration projects. Recruitment happened by design, from seeing a problem.
As I worked more closely with technology teams, I became fascinated by the people behind the systems. I found myself dissatisfied with how underpaid brilliant colleagues were, and that became my motivation just as much as I enjoyed solving technical problems.
The moment I realized I was actually good at recruitment was when a company from Romania reached out to me on LinkedIn, trusting me with difficult roles, and when candidates started thanking me for changing their lives.
When both sides win, the company gets the right hire, and the candidate gets a life-changing opportunity, I realized that I was doing more than filling vacancies; I was creating possibilities.

Recruitment is one of those jobs people think is straightforward until they try it. What’s the most difficult part of scouting talent that people don’t see? And what has the role taught you about people, ambition, and human nature?

The hardest part isn’t finding candidates; the hardest part is understanding people.
A CV tells you what someone has done. It doesn’t tell you who they are under pressure, what motivates them, what they fear, or what kind of environment helps them thrive.
Recruitment has taught me that ambition looks different on different people. Some people want titles, some want freedom. Some want impact, some simply want stability for their families.
I’ve also learned that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. There are brilliant people in places the world rarely looks, and one of my greatest joys is helping those people get seen.

What’s the most memorable candidate, hiring experience, or recruitment story you’ve encountered?

One interview stands out to me because it taught me an important lesson about people.
I was interviewing a candidate from France for a remote sales role, and at first, he seemed very reserved. His answers were polite but brief, and I found myself wondering if he was truly suited for sales.
Instead of pushing harder, I slowed down and asked about his interests outside of work. That’s when everything changed. He opened up about writing music, playing the piano, and his love for creative work. He also shared that he was drawn to our company because it felt authentic and aligned with the kind of life he wanted to build.
What struck me was that he wasn’t lacking confidence or ability; he was simply reserved and needed a push. That interview reminded me that recruiters can sometimes mistake extroversion for competence. Some candidates don’t shine under pressure; they shine when they’re genuinely listened to. Since then, I’ve become even more intentional about creating space for people to be themselves because that’s often when you discover who they really are.

Your work has exposed you to people from different backgrounds and countries. What have you learned about talent globally? And what do you think Nigerians consistently get right when it comes to work and resilience?

Talent is universal, opportunity is not.
I’ve met exceptional professionals from Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America, and I would say that excellence isn’t confined to geography.
What Nigerians consistently get right is adaptability. We have learned to solve problems with limited resources. We know how to pivot and figure things out. Nigerians enter difficult situations and somehow find a way to create value; that resilience is one of our greatest exports.

Let’s talk about Bulgaria. What took you there, and what surprised you most about the experience?

I visited Bulgaria for a team meetup, and the experience was eye-opening.
The first surprise was how warm, helpful, and welcoming people were. Before travelling, I carried assumptions and didn’t really know what to expect, but Bulgaria challenged them all.
The second surprise was the extent to which culture influences communication. Things that feel normal in Nigeria can be interpreted differently elsewhere.
One funny moment was realizing how much Nigerians rely on spontaneous conversations. We can become friends in five minutes. In some places, relationships develop more gradually, but in Bulgaria, amongst my colleagues, it felt like I was relating with Nigerians because I made friends through spontaneous conversations. The trip reminded me that travel doesn’t just show you new places; it shows you new versions of yourself.

Marriage is already a journey on its own. Marriage to a military officer in Nigeria adds an entirely different layer. What are some realities people don’t see or understand about being married to someone in that profession?

People often see the uniform; they don’t always see the sacrifices behind it because military life requires flexibility. Plans get changed, schedules get interrupted. Sometimes important family moments compete with national duty.
There are periods when you carry more responsibility at home because duty calls elsewhere, but there is also a deep sense of purpose. Watching someone dedicate their life to serving others teaches you about commitment, sacrifice, and courage. It’s not always easy, but it has shaped me into a stronger woman.

With insecurity becoming such a major conversation in Nigeria, have there been moments where fear, uncertainty, or worry became very real for you?

Absolutely! Anyone married to someone in active service would be dishonest if they said fear never visits. There are moments when news headlines hit differently, moments when your imagination starts creating scenarios you don’t need; what helps me is faith.
Faith doesn’t eliminate concern, but it prevents fear from becoming my master. I’ve learned to focus on what I can control, pray about what I cannot, and trust God with the things beyond my reach.

Can you share a moment from your marriage that reminded you why you chose your husband?

One thing I’ve always admired about my partner is his sense of responsibility. There have been seasons when life became demanding from every direction, and yet he remained committed to showing up for our family, not because it was convenient, but because that’s who he is.
Those moments remind me that marriage isn’t sustained by grand gestures alone; it is sustained by daily faithfulness, and faithfulness is one of the most attractive qualities a person can possess.

Motherhood. What were the things nobody warned you about?

Nobody warned me that toddlers are tiny lawyers; they negotiate everything. From bedtime to food, bath time, and even logic itself. Also, nobody warned me how much joy could exist in one small human being or how exhausted I could be while experiencing that joy. lol
Motherhood is beautiful, chaotic, hilarious, humbling, and transformative all at once, and I discovered that your heart can walk around outside your body and nothing will happen to you…lol

What has motherhood taught you about yourself?

Motherhood revealed strengths I didn’t know I had. It is teaching me patience and sacrifices. It taught me that love is often expressed through ordinary things: wiping tears, reading the same story ten times, listening to the same stories, and showing up every day.
It has also softened me. I think motherhood expanded my capacity for empathy because suddenly, I have become a superhero.

As a working mother, how do you deal with guilt, expectations, and the constant feeling that there is always one more thing demanding your attention?

I’ve stopped chasing perfection; perfection is exhausting.
I’ve learned that balance isn’t something you achieve once and keep forever; it’s something you continually adjust. Some days work gets more attention; other days family gets more attention.
The goal isn’t perfect balance; the goal is intentional presence. When I’m with my family, I want to be present. When I’m working, I want to be focused. I’ve learned to give myself grace.

Let’s address an issue of national importance 😌. As an Arsenal fan, how have you survived years of hope, heartbreak, and relentless tormenting?

Simple! Faith and community. Being an Arsenal fan is a character-building exercise.
For years, I’ve mastered the art of believing. We’ve celebrated progress, trusted the process, endured memes, defended our club in group chats and your horrible emails, and convinced ourselves that “next season” was our season.
And now that we’ve finally won the league, I’d just like to say that perseverance pays. To everyone who mocked us: thank you for keeping us humble and more dedicated, because we were always at the top of the table; we just needed to work harder for the number one spot.
To fellow Arsenal fans: we’ve earned this joy, so flex it however you like.

What does your relationship with money look like today compared to five or ten years ago?

Five years ago, I thought money was mainly about income and salaries; today, I understand that money is about so much more.
It’s about value more than freedom. It’s about creating value and serving others from a place of strength, which will give you and your family value in return.
I’ve become more intentional about saving, investing, planning, and thinking generationally. Financial wisdom isn’t about how much you earn; it’s about how well you steward what you have.

For young women watching your journey, what advice would you give them that you wish someone had given you earlier?

Don’t wait until you feel ready; growth happens in motion, so learn skills, build competence, ask questions, and take calculated risks. Also, don’t build a life that looks impressive but feels empty.
Success is not only about career milestones; pay attention to your character, your relationships, your faith, and your peace of mind. The goal isn’t to become successful at the expense of yourself; the goal is to become whole.

When you think about Nigeria today, what worries you most? And despite everything, what still gives you hope?

What worries me most is lost potential.
There are brilliant young people with world-class talent who simply need opportunities, and these same people give me hope.
Every day, I meet Nigerians building businesses, solving problems, creating jobs, innovating, and refusing to quit. I realize that Nigeria’s greatest resource has never been oil; it’s Nigerians. And as long as we keep producing resilient, creative, determined people, I remain hopeful.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for tomorrow?

For my career, I hope to continue connecting great people with life-changing opportunities on a global scale. For my family, I hope for health, joy, purpose, and meaningful memories.
For Nigeria, I hope for stronger institutions, better opportunities, and a future that rewards excellence.
For me, I hope I never stop learning. I hope I remain curious, courageous, faithful, and useful, because becoming is a lifelong journey.

Before we close, what’s one random thought that’s been living rent-free in your mind lately?

I’ve been thinking about how different life looks from what I imagined ten years ago.
Some dreams arrived differently than expected, some didn’t arrive at all, and some blessings came disguised as detours. It’s made me realize that life isn’t always about getting exactly what you planned.
Sometimes it’s about becoming the person capable of handling what eventually arrives, and honestly, I think that’s one of the most beautiful parts of being alive.

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