Video: OPay launches N1.2bn scholarship program to empower Nigerian students
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer of OPay Nigeria, Elizabeth Wang, has announced a bold initiative aimed at shaping Nigeria’s future through education.
Video: OPay launches N1.2bn scholarship program to empower Nigerian students
Wang while speaking on Friday at the 2025 OPay Empowering Conference held at the Marriott Hotel, Lagos State, detailed the company’s commitment to a 10-year, 1.2 billion naira scholarship program supporting deserving students across 20 universities nationwide.
EWang said, “And then today, here why we arrange this event will let you know that Opay will announce the 10 years, 1.2 billion scholarship. We are serious, we are passionate, and we really deliver our commitment to society.”
She added that the program has already supported 420 students in its first year and that the funds have been handed directly to beneficiaries in partnership with universities.
Wang emphasised, “Our vision actually is to be aspire to become the most respected and popular financial technology that actually creates social values. This is our company vision.”
To her, education and students represent the future of Nigeria, which OPay is proud to invest in.
Temileyi Ayoola, a 400-level Mechatronic Engineering student at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, described how the scholarship transformed her studies noting, “So without wasting much time, let me say very big thanks to Opay once again. So this great day when I got an email that I was selected for the scholarship, I was so so happy. I was able to use the funds for my tuition, and part of it, I was able to use it to get a new laptop.”
Temileyi expressed how the new laptop revitalised his ability to code and contribute to engineering innovation challenges.
Another beneficiary, a top graduate from Kwara State Polytechnic, credited the scholarship for motivating her to excel academically and thanked OPay for the opportunity.
OPay’s Corporate Social Responsibility, Itoro Udo, while speaking reflected on the broader meaning of the scholarship program stressing, “Times this event empowering futures conference 2025. Is far more than conference. It’s a moment of reflection, of gratitude and of renewed commitment to something greater than business.”
He highlighted the human stories behind the data and affirmed OPay’s ongoing mission to ensure educational opportunity reaches every young Nigerian.
Extensive University Partnerships Across Nigeria
Since November 2024, OPay has signed MoUs with numerous institutions including: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Nov 10, 2024), University of Ibadan (Nov 12, 2024), Obafemi Awolowo University (Mar 12, 2025), Federal University of Technology, Minna (Apr 23, 2025), University of Calabar (Jun 11, 2025), University of Jos (Sep 1, 2025), and many others totaling 20 universities and polytechnics.
University representatives consistently praised OPay for supporting students financially and promoting innovation beyond scholarships, including internships and technological advancement.
However, a landmark MoU was signed with the initiative of the establishment of a cybersecurity lab at the University of Calabar, with funding and support from OPay.
The Dean of Student Affairs stated, “The lab will help to reduce kidnapping and will serve a center to track kidnap victims.”
This project according to Wang aligns with OPay’s mission to leverage technology for social good and enhance student learning with practical knowledge.
Wang explained, “We will send our team to give them the lectures to the students, to let them know the latest knowledge about the technology, the latest information about the security problem we built so that they will be equipped with the latest technology as well.”
