OPay has shortlisted 48 teams for the next stage of its National Innovation Challenge after attracting more than 2,200 entries from over 11,000 undergraduate students across Nigeria, reflecting growing interest in technology-led innovation among young Nigerians.
The competition is part of the fintech’s expanded OPay Scholars Programme, a broader initiative that combines its ₦1.2 billion, 10-year scholarship scheme, innovation programmes and career development opportunities aimed at preparing students for Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.
Applications for the challenge opened on 25 May and closed on 3 July, inviting students to develop technology-based solutions to real-world problems. Teams are competing for a share of an ₦18 million prize pool, alongside mentorship, industry exposure and opportunities to further develop their ideas.
After reviewing the submissions, OPay selected 48 teams to progress to the next phase of the competition. Half of the teams are drawn from the company’s partner institutions, while the remaining 24 represent non-partner universities and other tertiary institutions. Each team consists of five students from the same institution.
The shortlisted teams will now participate in a six-week virtual mentorship and learning programme organised in partnership with Google and the Federal Government’s 3MTT programme. Through expert-led webinars and mentoring sessions, participants will refine their business ideas, strengthen their entrepreneurial and technical skills, and prepare for the final selection process, which will narrow the competition to 10 teams.
Beyond the competition itself, the initiative also serves as an entry point into OPay Futures, the company’s career development programme. Students from the shortlisted teams who score at least 70% in the programme’s assessment will qualify for a three-month internship with OPay or one of its partner organisations, giving them hands-on experience working on technology and business projects.
“The response to the National Innovation Challenge has been truly inspiring,” said Itoro Udo, OPay’s CSR Manager.
“Seeing over 11,000 students come together to develop practical solutions to real challenges reinforces our belief that Nigeria has an incredible pool of young talent ready to shape the future through innovation. Through the OPay Scholars Programme, we are investing beyond scholarships by creating opportunities for learning, mentorship, collaboration and innovation.”
She added that OPay’s collaboration with Google and the Federal Government’s 3MTT programme is designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, confidence and exposure needed to build solutions that can deliver meaningful impact.
The National Innovation Challenge is one part of OPay’s broader strategy to invest in talent development beyond financial support. By combining scholarships with mentorship, innovation programmes and workplace experience, the fintech is seeking to build a stronger pipeline of technology professionals and entrepreneurs capable of driving Nigeria’s digital economy in the years ahead.