Fintech firm OPay has pushed back the application window for its National Innovation Challenge to July 3, 2026. Originally scheduled to close on June 14, the deadline was extended to accommodate the high volume of interest from university students across Nigeria. Teams of five can submit their entries through the official OPay website.
The competition is a core component of the OPay Scholars Programme 2026, an initiative that integrates the company’s 1.2 billion Naira scholarship fund, the innovation challenge, and OPay Futures—a project focused on career readiness. This effort aims to foster the next generation of Nigerian problem-solvers.
Furthermore, OPay has formed a strategic alliance with the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, overseen by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between learning and employment by providing mentorship and skill-building opportunities. As part of this agreement, 3MTT and Google will assist in conducting webinars and bootcamps for participants.
Itoro Udo, OPay’s CSR Manager, noted that the extension ensures a broader range of students can showcase their ideas and gain access to mentorship. Francis Sani, the Programme Director for 3MTT, added that the partnership leverages government and private sector resources to prepare youth for a global digital marketplace.