OPay on Monday announced a 10-year N1.2 billion scholarship programme for Nigerian university students to reduce financial responsibilities and improve academic performance. This bold initiative is reshaping access to education nationwide, with eight universities already benefiting, including the University of Calabar.
Expanding access to education across Nigerian universities
The scholarship programme provides N300,000 annually to 20 indigent students per university, with OPay committing N120 million each year over the decade to sustain the initiative. Starting with institutions like the University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University, it now covers 20 universities, including recent additions like Benue State University and the University of Calabar.
At the University of Calabar’s MOU signing, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Florence Obi praised the program, saying, “OPay’s generosity is deeply appreciate. It will help many of our students and inspire them to excel in their academics.”
OPay’s Head of Partnerships, Mr. IK Odiase, emphasized education’s role in national progress: “Education is the cornerstone of nation-building, and we remain committed to ensuring that students across Nigeria have the support they need to succeed.”
Driving youth empowerment and national development
Beyond financial aid, OPay’s scholarship initiative aims to nurture talent and foster innovation among young Nigerians. The program alleviates the pressure of tuition fees and related costs, allowing students to focus on their studies and personal growth. OPay’s CEO, Dauda Gotring, highlighted the company’s dedication: “We are proud to support these future leaders… education is vital to nation-building”.
Students have expressed gratitude, with one FUTMINNA beneficiary sharing, “This scholarship is a lifeline… I couldn’t afford tuition and had to drop out to work and raise funds.”
The program also aligns with universities’ goals to enhance employability and entrepreneurship, as noted by Olabisi Onabanjo University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, who hopes for further support in innovation and business incubation.
OPay, established in 2018, combines technology and financial services to promote inclusion. This scholarship program is a clear example of its commitment to social responsibility and youth empowerment in Nigeria.