Fintech company, OPay, said it has disbursed N126 million in scholarships to students across 20 tertiary institutions in Nigeria as part of its higher education support programme.
The initiative, according to the firm, is the first phase of a broader ten-year plan to invest N1.2 billion in tertiary education scholarships nationwide.
The company announced the initiative during its ‘OPay CSR Empowering Futures 2025’ conference held recently in Lagos.
According to OPay’s Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer, Elizabeth Wang, 420 students have benefited from the scholarship scheme so far, with disbursements spread across universities and polytechnics nationwide.
She added that OPay has fulfilled its first-year commitment and intends to continue the programme over the next nine years.
“In the past one year, we’ve disbursed N126 million, supported 420 students, and partnered with 20 universities. We are proud to have delivered on our first-year commitment, and we will continue to sustain and expand this initiative over the next nine years and beyond,” Wang said.
Expansion plans and digital learning support
As part of efforts to broaden the initiative, the company said it plans to establish a cyber laboratory at the University of Calabar to enhance digital learning.
The project, it noted, is designed to support students’ exposure to practical technology tools and align with broader goals of financial inclusion through technology.
The company stated that its engagement with universities would include collaborations aimed at improving access to digital education and fostering innovation among students.
- Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Adebayo Bamire, acknowledged the scholarship programme’s contribution to easing financial pressure on students.
- He said the initiative has provided financial support and infrastructure to learning institutions, including a N10 million grant for OAU’s award of excellence programme.
- Bamire urged OPay to explore further collaborations with Nigerian universities, particularly in areas such as laboratory development, incubation centres, and digital connectivity.
Beneficiary reacts
One of the scholarship recipients, Adebayo Moses, a 400-level pharmacy student at the University of Ibadan, said the financial support helped improve his academic performance and access to learning tools.
Some of the 20 tertiary institutions that have received funding include the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Abuja, Ahmadu Bello University, Lagos State University, and the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
Others are the University of Ilorin, Kwara State Polytechnic, Benue State University, University of Calabar, Olabisi Onabanjo University, University of Uyo, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Ambrose Alli University, Federal University of Health Sciences Azare, Nasarawa State University, University of Maiduguri, University of Jos, and Bayero University Kano.
