OPay Adds Four Nigerian Schools to Scholarship Programme, Pledging ₦1.2 Billion Over Ten Years

TL;DR: OPay has signed MoUs with four Nigerian tertiary institutions, committing ₦300,000 scholarships to 20 students at each school annually under a ₦1.2 billion, 10‑year partnership.

OPay, a leading Nigerian fintech known for mobile payments and transfers, launched its scholarship programme to support high‑performing, financially disadvantaged students. The initiative already partners with 20 institutions across the country; the new agreements raise that total to 24.

The four newly added schools are Benue State Polytechnic, Kogi State Polytechnic, Montgomery Polytechnic in Ekiti State, and Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ebonyi State. Under the deal, each institution will receive ₦300,000 awards for 20 students every year, amounting to ₦6 million per school annually and ₦60 million over the ten‑year span. Across all four partners, the yearly payout totals ₦24 million, contributing to the overall ₦1.2 billion commitment.

Itoro Udo, OPay’s CSR Manager, said education is a powerful tool for change and that the scholarship helps driven students who lack financial backing. She emphasized the company’s pride in standing with those learners and its intent to grow the programme further.

The expansion broadens OPay’s reach into additional states, reinforcing its goal of inclusive access to education and financial services. By targeting need‑based awards, the programme aims to reduce dropout rates and improve graduation outcomes among underserved youth. Since its inception, OPay’s scholarship initiative has awarded over ₦200 million to more than 500 students across Nigeria. The latest MoUs build on that track record, extending the programme to new geographic areas and increasing the total number of partner institutions to 24. The company states that the funds are disbursed directly to the schools to cover tuition and related expenses. Officials say the initiative aligns with national goals for youth empowerment.

Stakeholders will watch how the funds are disbursed, the academic progress of recipients, and whether OPay adds more partners in the coming years.