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By Oluseye Ojo
The Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Iseyin, Oyo State, was abuzz with excitement on December 15, 2025, as Africa’s rocket-fuelled payment app, HitchPay, rolled in with its team and branded vans.
The event marked the launch of HitchPay’s financial literacy programme, aimed at empowering corps members with essential financial skills.
HitchPay’s three-day blitz kicked off with hands-on brand activation, giving corps members a first-hand experience of its user-friendly platform.
The activation included instant app downloads, demo sessions, and live transactions, allowing corps members to create wallets, send money, pay bills, and even buy digital assets like airtime and data.
“HitchPay’s magic shines brightest for those dreading remote Primary Places of Assignment (PPA).
“We’re bridging the gap for corps members heading to underserved communities without banks. Our platform makes payments seamless, fun and affordable; no stress, just vibes,’ said Ms. Eunice Bankole, HitchPay’s Chief Operating Officer.
The Digital Career Fair, held on December 15, was a huge success, with recruiters from top companies scouting talent and offering internships in software engineering, product design, management, and more.
“This aligns with our vision to catapult young talent from campus to cutting-edge tech careers. Oyo’s launch is just the spark; a nationwide firestorm hits more NYSC camps soon.
“We’ve already placed interns from similar events into roles shaping Africa’s fintech future. Imagine these corps members coding the next big thing while serving Nigeria,” Bankole declared.
The event also featured workshops on digital financial literacy, with experts sharing tips on managing finances, investing, and using digital tools for entrepreneurship.
Corps members learned about the importance of saving, budgeting, and leveraging fintech solutions for business growth.
HitchPay’s sponsorship of the Miss Big, Bold and Beautiful pageant, held on December 3, 2025, added a touch of glamour to the event.
The pageant winner, Ms Ifela Babarinde, an economic graduate from Abeokuta, said: “This win feels like destiny, powered by HitchPay’s seamless tools that let me focus on shining without money worries.
“During rehearsals, I used the app to pay my tailor instantly; no delays, no drama. It’s empowering us queens to rule our worlds.”
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First runner-up, Ms. Mistura Aderinto, also stated: “HitchPay’s demos showed me how to save in dollars right here,: it’s a lifesaver for my future postings in Kaduna.
‘I swapped ₦10,000 to USD mid-pageant prep. Now, I’m planning my first international course.”
Second runner-up, Ms. Bolanle Olaosebikan, also noted: “The app’s security and speed blew my mind; now I’m ready to hustle globally from any Nigerian village. Biometrics locked it down, who needs banks?”
The Culture and Carnival Day, held on December 6, 2025, was a celebration of Nigerian culture, with corps members showcasing their talents and skills.
Resident Officer, NYSC Oyo State, Dr Ikusemoro Olubunmi Taiye, commended HitchPay for its initiative, saying: “These tools will transform how our youth handle finances during service year. No more cash crises disrupting CDS projects.”
As Batch C 2025 dispersed from the orientation camp to their PPAs, they carried HitchPay’s flame, comprising fuller pockets, bolder dreams, and unbreakable spirits.
HitchPay’s initiative is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s digital economy, promoting financial inclusion and driving growth.
One corps member, Chinedu, from Enugu, made his first transfer, sending ₦5,000 to his sister’s phone back home. The transaction was successful. Then, he confessed: “No more queuing at POS agents or hiding cash under my mattress. This is freedom!.”
In the same vein, another corps member, Emeka from Port Harcourt, was able to secure a mock interview for customer success. He said: ‘They saw my NYSC hustle and said, ‘You’re HitchPay material.’ God bless this camp!”
As Ms. Prisca Onyemaeme, HitchPay’s Marketing Director, said: “This partnership harnesses youth energy for national cohesion. We’re committed to hassle-free, global payments, starting with NYSC to build Nigeria’s digital future. The sign-ups, the stories, it’s proof Africa’s youth are ready to lead.”
HitchPay is a Nigerian fintech start-up that’s making waves in the financial sector. The company is developing a super app with multiple financial services, including bill payment, stock trading, Naira and dollar investments, virtual cards, cross-border payments, loans, USD bank account, and cross-border payments,
The company is focused on providing innovative and secure financial solutions, with robust security measures in place to protect users’ transactions. HitchPay has already gained significant traction, with over 10,000 downloads on Google Play
The programme was graced by representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Community Development Service (CDS), and Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED).
But it was the belief of one NDLEA officer at the programme that financial literacy is good for the youth because “youth financial literacy fights crime at the root.”
