Apply Now: OPay Expands ₦1.2bn Scholarship Programme, Introduces Innovation Challenge With Google

opayweb.com has announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 edition of its flagship scholarship initiative, now rebranded as OPay Scholars. The programme is part of the company’s ₦1.2 billion, 10-year investment aimed at supporting education and empowering students across Nigeria.

As part of the new phase of the initiative, OPay is introducing an Innovation Challenge in collaboration with google.com and OPay Futures. The new addition is focused on helping students develop practical digital skills, build innovative solutions, and prepare for future career opportunities.

Applications for the Innovation Challenge will remain open from May 25 to June 14, 2026. Interested students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria are expected to apply in teams of five through opayweb.com.

According to OPay, the challenge requires participants to identify real-life problems and provide technology-driven solutions. Teams must also download and interact with the Gemini App by initiating basic prompts within the platform.

The competition offers significant rewards for outstanding projects. The winning team will receive ₦10 million, while the first and second runners-up will take home ₦5 million and ₦3 million respectively.

Beyond the cash prizes, participants will also benefit from webinars and bootcamp sessions designed to expose them to industry knowledge and hands-on learning experiences. Outstanding participants may also gain access to OPay Futures, creating opportunities for career development with OPay and its partner organisations.

Speaking on the initiative, Elizabeth Wang said education remains one of the strongest tools for transformation. She explained that OPay’s scholarship commitment goes beyond financial support by helping students gain practical skills, innovation exposure, and career opportunities needed to succeed in today’s digital economy.

Also commenting on the partnership, Dotun Adekunle noted that the collaboration with Google would provide students with access to modern tools capable of turning ideas into practical solutions. He added that integrating Gemini into the challenge would help young Nigerians build relevant digital skills and prepare for the future of work.

On Google’s side, Olumide Balogun stated that many of Africa’s next major innovations will come from young people solving local problems. He explained that the partnership aims to provide Nigerian students with the right technology to refine and scale their ideas effectively.

Since its launch, the OPay Scholarship Programme has continued to expand, supporting hundreds of students nationwide. With the introduction of the Innovation Challenge and OPay Futures, the company says it is deepening its commitment to education, innovation, and youth empowerment in Nigeria.

Students interested in participating are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline through the official portal.

For more updates, visit opayweb.com or follow the company on linkedin.com, x.com, and instagram.com.