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OPay Digital Services Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to education and technological advancement in Nigeria with the disbursement of N126 million in scholarships to 420 students across 20 tertiary institutions, as well as the launch of a cybersecurity lab project in partnership with the University of Calabar.
The initiatives form part of OPay’s N1.2 billion, 10-year Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scholarship plan, which aims to empower students and strengthen the country’s educational system. The event, themed “OPay Corporate Social Responsibility: Empowering Futures 2025,” was held in Lagos to commemorate the first anniversary of the scholarship programme and to announce new CSR collaborations, including the UniCal cybersecurity lab.
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer of OPay Nigeria, Elizabeth Wang, said the company had successfully completed the first phase of its 10-year CSR plan. She stated that in the past year, OPay disbursed N126 million, supported 420 students, and worked with 20 universities.
She explained that the initiative was designed to invest at least N120 million yearly on 400 students from selected institutions over the next decade.
Wang emphasized that the company believes students are the future, and education is key to building that future, hence its commitment to supporting young Nigerians.
Benefiting institutions include Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Benue State University, University of Calabar, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Bayero University, Kwara State Polytechnic, University of Abuja, University of Uyo, Ambrose Alli University, Nasarawa State University, University of Maiduguri, Federal University of Health Sciences Bauchi, University of Jos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Lagos State University, and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.
As part of its expanding CSR footprint, OPay also announced a partnership with the University of Calabar to establish a cybersecurity laboratory aimed at enhancing digital literacy and cyber resilience among students. According to Wang, the collaboration followed a request from the university’s Vice-Chancellor for support in establishing the lab. She explained that OPay’s mission is to make financial services more inclusive through technology and that the company would not only provide equipment for the cyber lab but also share its technological expertise. She revealed that OPay experts would visit the university annually to deliver lectures and expose students to the latest innovations in cybersecurity.
Wang added that OPay’s vision goes beyond fintech to creating social value and investing in the nation’s human capital. The CSR Manager, OPay, Itoro Udo, also emphasized that the company’s initiatives reflect its belief in technology as a bridge to opportunity, connecting people and communities while building sustainable growth.
Several university representatives commended OPay’s interventions. The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Simeon Bamire, praised the company for supporting students, noting that such gestures motivate learners and give them hope. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Egbewole Wahab, urged OPay to extend its CSR projects to improving laboratory infrastructure in universities to create more conducive learning environments.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Jos, Professor Rahila Plangnan, commended the initiative and advised OPay to track scholarship alumni to measure long-term impact, while Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Dr. Basilia Igbokwe, described the scholarship as a lifeline that had brought smiles to many indigent students. She also appealed to the company to provide employment opportunities for graduates under the programme.
Beneficiaries of the scholarship also shared their experiences. One of them, Ajoke Abdullah, a graduate of Kwara State University, said the scholarship enabled her to graduate as the best student in her department and boosted her confidence. She expressed gratitude to OPay for supporting her academic journey.
The Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Calabar, Professor Patrick Egaga, said the establishment of the cybersecurity lab would not only enhance learning but also contribute to national security. According to him, since many crimes such as kidnapping and phone theft involve the use of mobile devices, the cyber lab would aid law enforcement and improve digital investigation capacity.
OPay’s ₦1.2 billion decade-long CSR initiative has already impacted hundreds of Nigerian students, while its partnership with the University of Calabar on a cybersecurity lab underscores its broader commitment to education, innovation, and social development in Nigeria.
