In a remarkable show of commitment to education and youth empowerment, Pay Digital Services Limited, operators of OPay Nigeria, has disbursed ₦126 million in scholarships to 420 students across 20 tertiary institutions nationwide. The initiative marks the successful first year of the company’s 10-year ₦1.2 billion Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Scholarship Scheme, themed “OPay Corporate Social Responsibility: Empowering Futures 2025.”
Speaking during the scheme’s first-anniversary celebration at the weekend, OPay’s Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer, Elizabeth Wang, said the company has fulfilled its first-year target by providing each beneficiary with ₦300,000 in educational support. She added that the company signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with all participating institutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
“In the past one year, we’ve disbursed ₦126 million, supported 420 students, and partnered with 20 universities. We are proud to have delivered on our first-year commitment, and we will continue to sustain and expand this initiative over the next nine years and beyond,” Wang stated.
She emphasized that OPay’s investment in education stems from a deep belief in nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of leaders. “We believe in the future — and who is the future? The students are the future, education is the future. That’s why OPay is committed to making meaningful contributions to the future of Nigeria,” she added.
Under the 10-year plan, OPay will invest at least ₦120 million annually to support no fewer than 400 students across select tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Beneficiary schools include Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Benue State University, University of Calabar, Bayero University Kano, and Kwara State Polytechnic, among others.
Vice Chancellors of the beneficiary institutions commended OPay for its dedication to advancing education. The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Simeon Bamire, praised the initiative, describing it as a morale booster for both students and educators.
“The students are always happy when they see people supporting their cause. It gives them hope and helps them focus better on their studies. We appreciate OPay for this and urge other corporate organizations to emulate this gesture,” he said.
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Egbewole Wahab, applauded the scholarships and appealed for broader CSR support in infrastructure. “You have provided scholarships that help students stay focused on their studies, but we also need enabling environments. It will be greatly appreciated if such support can extend to equipping our laboratories,” he said.
Launched in 2024, the OPay CSR Scholarship Initiative forms a core part of the company’s long-term vision to promote inclusive education, empower young Nigerians, and foster national development through strategic human capital investment.
With its continued commitment to education, OPay is not only empowering students today but also helping to build a stronger, more innovative Nigeria for tomorrow.