OPay, a major financial institution in Nigeria, has strengthened its commitment to education by signing a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Ibadan.
Through this partnership, 20 outstanding students will receive ₦300,000 scholarships each year for the next decade, underscoring OPay’s dedication to promoting academic excellence and supporting future Nigerian leaders.
The MOU signing event took place at the University of Ibadan and was attended by OPay representatives, university senior staff, and some of the scholarship recipients.
This event underscored OPay’s dedication to supporting the education of talented young Nigerians.
Starting with the University of Ibadan, OPay’s scholarship initiative—an important part of its corporate social responsibility efforts—will soon extend to Ahmadu Bello University and Nnamdi Azikiwe University and eventually reach 17 additional tertiary institutions nationwide.
OPay aims to sponsor 400 students across these universities each year, committing One Hundred and Twenty Million naira (₦120M) annually. Over the next decade, this commitment is projected to surpass One Billion, Two Hundred Million naira (₦1.2BN), greatly enhancing OPay’s positive impact on Nigeria’s educational sector.
Remarks From The VC of the University of Ibadan
At the ceremony, Professor Kayode Adebowale, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, shared his excitement about the university being chosen as a pioneer in this new OPay initiative. He expressed that the project brings renewed hope to aspiring young people, allowing them to concentrate fully on their studies. On behalf of the University, he warmly thanked OPay for recognising and rewarding the outstanding talents of its students. This award not only honours the accomplishments of 20 undergraduate students but also highlights OPay’s dedication to empowering future leaders. The support from OPay demonstrates the importance of investing in education and fostering excellence, and the University is sincerely grateful for this meaningful partnership.
Dotun Adekunle, CTO/COO of OPay, commented that OPay is proud to enter a long-term partnership with the University of Ibadan to support Nigeria’s future leaders over the next decade. Through continuous financial support, they hope to help students focus on their academics and reach their full potential.
Remarks From The Beneficiaries of The Scholarship
As a transformative influence within Nigeria’s financial sector, OPay is firmly dedicated to creating a positive social impact and promoting growth within local communities. Through these scholarships, OPay will offer crucial financial support to students recognised for their academic excellence, creativity, and commitment to community service.
Tijani Rose, a 200-level Computer Science student at the University of Ibadan, shared that the scholarship would enable her to concentrate more on her studies. She described the award as an unexpected but welcome opportunity and expressed her excitement about being selected as a beneficiary.
Rose also noted that the scholarship would significantly enhance her educational journey, relieving her of worries about tuition so she can focus entirely on her grades and studies.
Toheeb Adeogun Adetayo, another scholarship recipient from the Nursing Department, expressed his appreciation to OPay. He shared his surprise and joy upon learning he was chosen as a beneficiary and conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the company.
This event not only formalised the partnership between OPay and the University of Ibadan but also honoured the impressive accomplishments and goals of the scholarship awardees. OPay takes pride in supporting these students’ aspirations, aligning with its mission to empower individuals and advance Nigeria’s development through education and opportunity.
