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OPay has announced the selection of 48 teams to advance to the next stage of its National Innovation Challenge, following a nationwide competition that attracted thousands of undergraduate innovators seeking to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world problems.
The initiative forms part of the expanded OPay Scholars Programme, which combines a ₦1.2 billion, 10-year scholarship scheme, the National Innovation Challenge, and OPay Futures—a career development platform designed to equip young Nigerians with digital and entrepreneurial skills.
Over 11,000 Students Participate
According to OPay, applications for the competition opened on May 25 and closed on July 3, drawing more than 2,200 team entries from over 11,000 undergraduate students representing tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Participants competed for a share of an ₦18 million prize pool, while also gaining opportunities for mentorship and practical learning aimed at building innovative technology solutions with real societal impact.
Rigorous Selection Process
Following an evaluation of submissions based on originality, innovation, relevance and potential impact, 48 teams were selected to move to the next phase of the competition.
The shortlisted teams comprise 24 teams from OPay’s partner institutions and 24 teams from non-partner institutions, reflecting the programme’s goal of providing equal opportunities to talented students regardless of their institution or geographical location.
Each participating team consists of five students from the same tertiary institution.
Six Weeks of Mentorship and Training
The selected teams will now participate in a six-week virtual mentorship and learning programme, where they will receive guidance from professionals drawn from OPay, Google, and the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
The webinar series will focus on strengthening participants’ ideas, improving their understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship, and preparing them for the next stage of the challenge.
At the end of the training, the competition will be narrowed to 10 finalist teams, who will proceed to the final phase.
Internship Opportunities for Outstanding Participants
Beyond the competition, OPay said the initiative also creates a pathway to employment through OPay Futures.
Students from the 48 shortlisted teams who score 70 percent or higher in the webinar assessment will qualify for a three-month internship with OPay and selected partner organisations.
The internship is expected to provide participants with hands-on industry experience, exposure to real business challenges, and practical skills needed to build successful careers in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
OPay Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Innovation
Commenting on the development, Itoro Udo, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager at OPay, described the response to the challenge as a reflection of the immense innovative potential among Nigerian youths.
She noted that the participation of more than 11,000 students demonstrates the country’s growing pool of young innovators capable of developing solutions to pressing societal challenges.
According to her, the OPay Scholars Programme goes beyond financial support by providing students with access to mentorship, collaboration opportunities and practical industry exposure. She added that OPay’s collaboration with Google and the Federal Government’s 3MTT programme is aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge, confidence and experience required to create meaningful technological solutions.
Building Nigeria’s Future Tech Workforce
Through its expanded Scholars Programme, OPay said it is adopting a holistic approach to talent development by combining scholarships, innovation support, career mentorship and workplace experience.
The fintech company believes the initiative will help nurture a new generation of technology professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs capable of contributing to Nigeria’s digital transformation and long-term economic growth.
