OPay Marks One Year of Its ₦1.2bn Scholarship Commitment
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OPay showcased its “Beyond Banking” ethos at the OPay Empowering Futures Conference 2025, held on October 31 at the Marriott Hotel in Lagos, marking the first anniversary of its 10-year scholarship initiative. The event celebrated the progress of the company’s ₦1.2 billion Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scholarship programme, dedicated to supporting students across 20 Nigerian universities.
Launched in 2024, the scholarship programme spans a decade and includes partner institutions such as the University of Abuja, University of Calabar, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, Benue State University, and Kwara State Polytechnic. Within its first year, OPay disbursed ₦126 million to 420 students nationwide.
Hosted by media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the event brought together notable Nigerian celebrities including Nancy Isime, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Tunde Onakoya, Layi Wasabi, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, and Hauwa Lawal, adding star power to a day focused on education and youth empowerment.
In his opening remarks, OPay’s CSR Manager, Itoro Udo, emphasised the company’s mission to use technology as a tool for social impact. He noted that the programme had helped restore hope for students who once doubted their academic futures. Throughout the event, testimonials from beneficiaries reinforced the transformative effect of the scholarship.
One of the recipients, Ayuba Bello from Ahmadu Bello University, described the scholarship as a turning point. Coming from a family of ten children, he was on the verge of dropping out, with his father preparing to sell family land to fund his education. The OPay scholarship prevented that sacrifice, enabling him to stay in school.
Other beneficiaries—including Festus Eromobor, Favour Fache, Timilehin Ayoola, and Ajoke Abdullahi—shared similar stories. Abdullahi, who graduated as the best student in her department, credited the scholarship for boosting her academic performance and confidence.
Representatives from the 20 partner institutions commended OPay’s continued support and urged the company to expand its impact tracking efforts, including establishing an alumni network to follow beneficiaries’ long-term progress. They also called for additional investment in institutional development.
Elizabeth Wang, Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer at OPay Nigeria, affirmed the company’s commitment to doing more. She announced OPay’s partnership with the University of Calabar to establish a new cybersecurity laboratory, which is expected to become a key learning and research hub on campus and in surrounding communities.
The event concluded with representatives of partner universities posing with ceremonial cheques, while new institutions signed memorandums of understanding to join the scholarship programme. Outside the hall, students and faculty engaged in networking conversations that reflected a collective sense of optimism about the opportunities ahead.
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