OPay Expands ₦1.2bn 10-year Scholarship Programme, Adds Innovation Challenge in partnership with Google

OPay, a leading fintech company in Nigeria, has officially opened...

OPay, a leading fintech company in Nigeria, has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of its flagship scholarship programme, now called OPay Scholars, continuing its ₦1.2 billion, 10-year commitment to support education across Nigeria.

Applications for the Innovation Challenge will run from May 25 to June 14, 2026. Students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria can apply now as a team of five students via https://www.opayweb.com/innovation-challenge

Building on its strong impact in the previous year, OPay is expanding the programme to include an Innovation Challenge in partnership with Google and OPay Futures. This addition is designed to empower students with practical skills, encourage problem-solving, and prepare them for real-world opportunities.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria’s corporate landscape, OPay is going beyond traditional scholarship support by combining financial aid, technical skills training, innovation development, and career pathways into one programme.

The Innovation Challenge will reward outstanding ideas and solutions from students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. To participate, applicants must apply as a team of five undergraduate students from any tertiary institution in Nigeria. Each team is expected to identify a real-life problem and present a technology-driven solution to address it. Applicants must have downloaded the Gemini App and initiated basic prompts within Gemini. The grand prize winner will receive ₦10 million, the first runner-up will receive ₦5 million, and the second runner-up will receive ₦3 million.

Beyond the prizes, participants will benefit from a structured webinar and bootcamp. These sessions will focus on building practical skills, exposing students to industry knowledge, and preparing them for future career opportunities. Top participants will also gain access to OPay Futures for potential career opportunities with OPay and other partners.

Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer, OPay, said:

“Education is one...