Introduction
The best friendships are rarely planned. Sometimes, it is as simple as meeting the right person, at the right time, and in the right situation, and this can happen in the workplace.
We spend more than 2,080 hours each year at work. It is more likely for the spark of friendship to ignite with colleagues whom we spend the most hours with, physically and remotely. Some people make work easier, not because they help you finish your tasks, but because they remind you to eat, save you a seat, check in after a difficult meeting, or simply know when you need a laugh. Before you realize it, the colleague you once exchanged polite greetings with has become the person you celebrate your wins with, lean on during busy days, and laugh over the smallest things.
On this International Friendship Day, we asked four pairs of Redtech colleagues to tell us how their workplace friendships began, the little moments that strengthened them, and why work wouldn’t be the same without each other. Here’s what they had to say.
“We started off as enemies.” — David & Okechukwu
David and Okechukwu didn’t become friends over lunch or a team bonding exercise. Their friendship began with disagreements while working on a product development project. They were convinced the other person was making work harder. Somehow, those debates became the foundation of one of the strongest friendships at Redtech.
We started off as enemies. We’d just both been assigned to build a new consumer-facing product for the company, and we had completely different views on how to approach the application built. I remember thinking, ‘Who did they hire to make my life difficult?’
Looking back now, I think that’s probably why we became friends.
The moment I knew we’d get along was when I gave him a sarcastic response to a question he asked. Instead of getting offended, he gave one right back. I thought, ‘Yeah… this guy gets it.’
Since then, we’ve just looked out for each other. It’s the things that go unsaid. Knowingly or unknowingly, we’re each other’s keepers. Good or bad, we’re in it together.
Honestly, work doesn’t feel like work when you’re doing it with people you genuinely like. Showing up every day toward a shared goal with someone who has your best interest at heart makes all of it a little better.
And if this Redtech thing ever doesn’t work out? We’re opening a comedy club. The level of whimsy between us is dangerous.
Oh… and I’ll always appreciate the credit alerts you send me, boss.
“His Locker Became Everyone’s Snack Spot” Taofik & Adetomiwa
At one point, if you were hungry at Redtech, there was one place everyone knew they could check first: Tomiwa’s locker.
It wasn’t officially stocked for the office, but somehow, there was always something to share. That small act says a lot about the kind of colleague Adetomiwa is to Taofeek a generous friend, an “office big bro,” and someone who makes work a little more enjoyable.
“Tomiwa’s recruitment process had just been concluded, and he was expected to resume in January 2023. Even before he resumed, the MD had described this new joiner in the funniest ways. From that moment, I kept looking forward to meeting him.
Then he resumed… GBAM! We aligned straight up.
I think the exact moment I realised he was my person at work was when I found out his wife and I are both from the same state. It just made the friendship feel even more personal.
If our friendship had an origin story, I’d call it Office Big Bro.
One thing I’ll always appreciate about Tomiwa is how generous he is. Not just with me, but with everyone. He used to buy snacks for the entire office, and his locker became everybody’s go-to spot whenever we felt like munching something. That was before Tinubu happened. 😂
One thing he’s done that I’ll never forget? He randomly gifted me a wristwatch one day. I remember asking him, ‘Hey bro, what exactly are we celebrating?’
I’ve never really said this to him, but… Na man he be.”
“It All Started with a ‘Good Morning.'” — Weng & Ama
Weng and Ama can’t point to one defining moment that made them friends. There wasn’t a dramatic event or a life-changing project. Their friendship grew quietly from a simple greeting into the kind of bond that’s now impossible for either of them to imagine working without.
“It just happened. I can’t really pinpoint how we became friends. I just know it all started with a simple ‘Good morning,’ and the friendship just took off.
For me, the moment it clicked was when I realized Ama and I see things eye to eye. She never hides how she truly feels. She’s honest, authentic, and fearless about expressing her opinions. I’m naturally drawn to genuine people, so that’s when I knew she was my person.
One thing she does that she’ll probably never realize means so much to me is listening. I can rant for hours without her rushing me. She lets me get everything out before giving the most honest advice. She’s always looking for ways to help me become a better version of myself.
I was really sick a few months ago, and Ama came to visit me. She stayed until I felt well enough to take care of myself. I’ll never forget that.
People joke that we rehearse our conversations before coming to work because we’re always on the same page. cut😂
What I’ve never really said is that I admire her discipline, her calmness and the way she’s committed to becoming the woman she wants to be. Thank you for loving me in the little details. They never go unnoticed.
Work is better because I get to see her every morning. We share lunch, catch up on life and laugh about the smallest things. Somehow, that always makes my day better.”
He Always Asks, “Have You Eaten?”
When Blessing first met Abimbola, she didn’t think much of it. He was the newest member of the team, and she assumed he’d naturally become friends with the other guys in the office. Instead, he became the colleague she answered questions for, the friend she shared rides home with, and eventually, the person who never forgot to ask one simple question: “Have you eaten?”
“Honestly, I never imagined we’d become this close. When Bimbo joined the team, I thought he’d naturally gravitate toward the other guys in the office. Instead, I became his go-to person whenever he had questions.
Before we knew it, those work conversations became real conversations. He’d give me rides home after work, and those drives became our catch-up sessions. We’d talk about work, life, goals and everything in between. Somewhere along the way, we stopped being colleagues and became genuine friends. Today, he proudly calls himself my big brother, and honestly, that’s exactly what he’s become to me.
One thing Bimbo does that he’ll probably never realise means so much to me is asking, ‘Have you eaten?’ Whenever he orders food, he’ll call me to join him. It might seem like such a small gesture, but it never feels small. Knowing someone intentionally checks on you and makes sure you’re not eating alone says a lot.
We’ve built a friendship where we genuinely show up for each other. If I’m facing a challenge, he already knows. If he needs help, I know too. We never hesitate to support one another, and it’s become such a normal part of how we work together that even our manager has noticed.
We somehow find humour in the smallest things, so there’s rarely a dull moment when we’re together.”
Abimbola laughs when you ask him about their friendship because, to him, it all happened so naturally.
“I had just resumed, and I needed someone who could help me understand the department and Redtech as a whole. Blessing was and still is that person for me. She made life easier both in and outside the office. She became the ‘sisfriend’ I didn’t even know I needed.
One thing she does that means a lot to me is calling me on weekends to complain that I’ve forgotten about her, especially when I don’t call her on Saturdays. It’s one of those little things that reminds me she genuinely cares about our friendship just as much as I do.
I’ve never really told her this, but I appreciate how she applies herself to everything she does. She’s always willing to support the team and help move things forward.
Oh… and one thing about my friend? She’ll always take food from my plate, even when she has her own.”
When friendship grows alongside teamwork, collaboration feels more natural, trust becomes stronger, and everyone feels a greater sense of belonging. The best workplaces are not only where good work happens, but where meaningful connections are formed along the way.
A great workplace culture is built when colleagues become more than people who share tasks; they become people who support one another, celebrate wins together, and make difficult days lighter. At Redtech, these meaningful connections strengthen how we collaborate, grow, and succeed together, making Redtech truly a Great Place to Work.
As a small way of celebrating International Friendship Day, we’re giving you and your work friend the chance to win a special raffle prize.
Fill out the form for your chance to win.
Happy International Friendship Day.
