After 17 years, Paga’s CEO hands Nigeria operations to new leader
Paga has appointed a new acting CEO for its Nigeria business as founder Tayo Oviosu steps back after 17 years. The move signals a shift toward global expansion, AI, and cross-border payments.
Nigerian fintech company Paga has appointed a new acting chief executive for its Nigeria business, marking a major leadership transition after more than a decade of founder-led operations.
According to Founder Tayo Oviosu’s LinkedIn post, he will step away from the day-to-day running of Paga Nigeria to become Group CEO, overseeing the company’s broader strategy and expansion. Opeyemi Oyinloye has been named Acting CEO of Paga Nigeria, pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The appointment marks the first time Paga Nigeria will be led by someone other than its founder since the company launched in 2009.
Per TechCabal, the company said the leadership change is part of a wider restructuring aimed at positioning Paga for its next phase of growth. This includes expanding into African markets and increasing investment in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, stablecoins, and global payments infrastructure.
Oviosu, who has led the company since its inception, will now focus on group-level priorities, including scaling Paga’s technology and strengthening its position as a financial services platform connecting African users to global systems.
Oyinloye, who has held senior roles within the company, will oversee Paga’s Nigeria operations, which remain its largest and most mature market.
The transition comes amid the company’s strong growth. Paga processed ₦17.1 trillion in transactions in 2025, a 96% increase year-on-year, underscoring the rising adoption of digital payments in Nigeria.
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