One year into a decade-long education pledge, OPay is not resting on its scholarship record. The Nigerian fintech giant has returned with a significantly expanded programme, one that pairs financial support with a Google-backed innovation challenge and a structured route from campus to career.
OPay has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its scholarship initiative, now rebranded as OPay Scholars, as part of its ₦1.2 billion, 10-year education commitment, and has unveiled a ₦10 million Innovation Challenge in partnership with Google aimed at equipping Nigerian students with digital and problem-solving skills.
Applications for the Innovation Challenge run from May 25 to June 14, 2026, with tertiary students across Nigeria invited to participate. Applicants are required to compete in teams of five undergraduate students through the official portal, developing technology-based solutions to real-life problems. Teams will be required to engage with Google Gemini tools during the process. Winners will receive cash rewards, with the overall winner taking home ₦10 million.
The scholarship's foundational reach remains substantial. OPay has committed ₦1.2 billion over 10 years to support outstanding and indigent students across more than 20 partner tertiary institutions nationwide, a commitment that has already touched campuses from Ife to Zaria and Calabar, where beneficiaries have shared stories of renewed focus and relief from financial pressure.
The 2026 expansion moves the programme decisively beyond tuition cheques. The new edition introduces OPay Futures and the National Innovation Challenge, where students can propose practical solutions to real-world problems. It will also feature a focused webinar session and a bootcamp led by industry experts, giving scholars direct access to knowledge in technology, entrepreneurship, and career development.
Most notably, the 2026 edition creates a structured career development pathway, culminating in a grand finale at OPay's second annual Empowering Futures Conference, a platform designed to celebrate academic excellence while spotlighting creativity, leadership, and innovation among Nigerian students.
OPay's Chief Marketing Officer, Siyan Oyelaran, captured the expanded ambition: "Education is one of the most powerful tools for change. 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."
The programme's evolution reflects a sharper understanding of what Nigerian students actually need, not just money to stay enrolled, but tools, exposure, and pathways to make their degrees count in a rapidly changing economy. Applications are open. The clock is running.
Stay Informed: Visit our website for Breaking News, Intelligence, and Insight