OPay partners Google to expand N1.2bn scholarship

OPay, in partnership with Google, is expanding its N1.2bn scholarship programme to include an Innovation Challenge. The fintech company has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of the programme, now called OPay Scholars, continuing its N1.2bn, 10-year commitment to supporting education across Nigeria. The expansion 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.

Applications for the Innovation Challenge will run from 25 May to 14 June 2026.

Students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria can apply as a team of five students via the company’s registration portal. The Innovation Challenge will reward outstanding ideas and solutions from students in tertiary institutions across the country. 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 application and initiated basic prompts within the platform.

The grand prize winner will receive N10m, the first runner-up will receive N5m, and the second runner-up will receive N3m. Beyond the cash 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.

The Chief Commercial Officer of OPay, Elizabeth Wang, said, “Education is one of the most powerful tools for change. Through our N1.2bn, 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.”

Commenting on the programme and partnership with Google, the Chief Operations and Technology Officer, OPay, Dotun Adekunle, said, “Our partnership with Google on the Innovation Challenge strengthens the impact of the OPay Scholars Programme by giving students access to technology and tools that can help turn ideas into practical solutions. By integrating Google Gemini into the challenge, we are empowering young Nigerians to build relevant digital skills, solve real problems, and prepare for the future of innovation and work.”

Also speaking on the partnership, the Director, West and East Africa, Google, Olumide Balogun, said, “The most exciting innovations in Africa will come from young people solving local problems, and our role is to make sure they have the right technology to make that happen. By embedding Gemini into the OPay Innovation Challenge, we are giving Nigeria’s sharpest students a powerful and practical tool to test, refine, and scale their ideas.”

Since its launch, the OPay Scholarship Programme has continued to grow in scale and impact, supporting hundreds of students across Nigeria. With the introduction of the Innovation Challenge and OPay Futures, OPay is reaffirming its commitment to education, innovation, and youth empowerment.

OPay was established in 2018 with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfers, bill payments, card services, airtime and data purchases, and merchant payments. Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, OPay provides customers’ funds with the same insurance coverage levels as traditional commercial banks.