KEY POINTS

• OPay’s N1.2bn 10-year scholarship programme expands to LASU.

• Twenty LASU students to receive full scholarships annually.

• The initiative deepens OPay’s commitment to youth empowerment and education.

Lagos State University has become the latest Nigerian institution to benefit from the OPay 10-year scholarship programme, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the university and the fintech firm.

The agreement, sealed on Monday at the school’s main campus, will see 20 students receive fully funded scholarships each year, forming part of OPay’s N1.2bn Empowering Futures initiative.

The programme, introduced by OPay Digital Services Limited as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility agenda, is designed to support academically outstanding students who face financial challenges. Since launching in Nigeria in 2018, OPay has focused on deepening financial inclusion through technology, but the company is now extending its impact by investing directly in human capital development.

Partnership to ease financial pressure for students

Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised OPay’s sustained commitment to education and youth advancement, describing the partnership as a milestone for the institution. She noted that the scholarship will ease the financial pressure on beneficiaries while motivating them to excel academically.

“This collaboration reflects a shared vision between OPay and LASU to uplift young Nigerians through education and innovation,” she said. “We appreciate OPay’s confidence in our university and look forward to building a strong, enduring partnership that will benefit generations of students.”

Accordign to Punch, Registrar Emmanuel Fanu also commended OPay for its generosity, adding that the initiative would make a lasting difference in the lives of students. “This opportunity will shape their futures and encourage them to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

OPay 10-year scholarship programme deepens youth investment

Representing OPay at the ceremony, Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Wang reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building opportunities beyond digital finance. She said the scholarship was only one aspect of OPay’s broader investment in Nigeria’s future, which includes plans to set up cyberlabs and create employment pathways for graduates.

“Education forms the foundation of every thriving society,” Wang said. “Through the OPay 10-year scholarship programme, we are investing in young people who will drive innovation and growth in the years ahead.”