OPay expands N1.2bn scholarship programme with innovation challenge

OPay has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of its flagship scholarship initiative, now rebranded as OPay Scholars, as part of its N1.2 billion, 10-year commitment to support education and youth development across Nigeria. The fintech company announced that applications for the newly introduced Innovation Challenge will run from May 25 to June 14, […]

OPay has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of its flagship scholarship initiative, now rebranded as OPay Scholars, as part of its N1.2 billion, 10-year commitment to support education and youth development across Nigeria.

The fintech company announced that applications for the newly introduced Innovation Challenge will run from May 25 to June 14, 2026, with students in tertiary institutions across the country invited to participate.

According to the company, interested applicants are required to apply in teams of five undergraduate students through the official application portal.

Building on the impact recorded in previous editions, OPay said the 2026 programme has been expanded to include an Innovation Challenge in partnership with Google and OPay Futures, a move aimed at equipping students with practical digital skills, encouraging innovation, and preparing them for future career opportunities.

The company described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind programme in Nigeria’s corporate landscape, noting that it combines financial support, technical skills development, innovation training, and career pathways within a single platform.

Under the Innovation Challenge, participating teams are expected to identify real-life societal problems and develop technology-driven solutions to address them.

It added that applicants are also required to have downloaded the Gemini App and initiated basic prompts using the platform.

The grand prize winner will receive N10 million, while the first and second runners-up will receive N5 million and N3 million respectively.

OPay added that participants would also benefit from webinars and bootcamp sessions focused on practical skills, industry exposure, and career readiness. Outstanding participants are expected to gain access to OPay Futures for potential career opportunities within OPay and its partner network.

Speaking on the initiative, Chief Commercial Officer for Opay, Elizabeth Wang said education remains one of the most powerful tools for transformation.

She said OPay’s continued investment in education through the scholarship programme reflects its commitment to empowering young Nigerians with the resources, innovation opportunities, and career pathways needed to thrive in the digital economy.

“Education is one of the most powerful tools for change. Through our ₦1.2 billion, 10-year scholarship commitment, OPay has continued to invest in the education and future of young Nigerians. With the expansion of the programme in 2026 to include the Innovation Challenge and OPay Futures, we are going beyond financial support to equip students with practical skills, innovation opportunities, and career pathways that will help them thrive in the digital economy and create meaningful impact in their communities,” she said.

Also commenting, Chief Operations and Technology Officer, Dotun Adekunle said the partnership with Google would provide students with access to technology and tools capable of transforming ideas into practical solutions.

According to him, integrating Google Gemini into the challenge will help young Nigerians develop relevant digital skills and prepare for the future of work and innovation.

In his remarks, Director West and East Africa, Google, Olumide Balogun said Africa’s next wave of innovation would come from young people solving local challenges, adding that the initiative would provide students with the technological tools needed to test, refine, and scale their ideas.

Since its launch, the OPay Scholarship Programme has supported hundreds of students across Nigeria, with the company saying the introduction of the Innovation Challenge and OPay Futures further reinforces its commitment to education, innovation, and youth empowerment.

Students from tertiary institutions nationwide have been encouraged to apply through the programme portal and follow updates across OPay’s digital platforms.