University of Maiduguri has joined the list of beneficiaries under OPay Digital Services’ ₦1.2 billion nationwide ten-year scholarship programme.
The agreement was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the presentation of a ₦60 million cheque to the institution. The fund will provide annual financial aid to selected students and create room for collaboration in innovation, cybersecurity, and youth empowerment.
At the event were Mr. Adamu, Member of the Technical Unit UNIMAID, Barrister Babagana Talba, Head of Department in the Vice Chancellor’s office, Mr. Itoro Udo, Head of CSR OPay, Professor Yakubu Mukhtar, Dean of Postgraduate Studies representing the Vice Chancellor, Barrister Mammadu Ndari, Director of Student Affairs representing the Registrar, Paul Iwunwa, Senior Marketing Manager OPay, and Barrister Asmau Abba Jato, University Legal Officer.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, was represented by Professor Yakubu Mukhtar. He praised the move, calling it a milestone.
“We are delighted to welcome OPay to the University of Maiduguri for this historic occasion. OPay is no doubt one of the most important digital financial institutions in the country, and it is indeed gratifying to witness a socially responsible organization like OPay in the future of our students and demonstrating genuine commitment to educational development,” he said.
Professor Mukhtar also underlined the importance of the institution’s size. “Believe me, UNIMAID is one of the largest tertiary institutions in this country in terms of the number of students as well as staff. So, you have a lot of clients and customers who patronize OPay,” he added.
On behalf of OPay, Head of CSR, Itoro Udo, explained the purpose of the scholarship.
“The OPay 10-year scholarship initiative was started last year as part of our mandate to give back to the communities where we do business. We see education as a stronghold and foundation in Nigeria, and we want to support students in bridging the gap left by the withdrawal of federal subsidies in the sector,” he said.
He noted that the programme will provide ₦300,000 annually to 20 students in each of 20 selected institutions. This equals ₦6 million per institution per year, amounting to ₦1.2 billion over ten years.
“While the scholarship scheme is significant, the scholarship is only an entry point, and a gateway into other initiatives we seek to collaborate on with the institution,” he explained.
Udo further stressed OPay’s interest in innovation and cybersecurity.
“Because we are a digital bank and cybersecurity is the backbone of what we do, we also want to empower higher institutions to build reliable and strong cybersecurity departments that will, in the long run, give birth to other fintechs that will continue to make the country proud,” he said.
He announced that in October, OPay will present its first CSR Annual Report in Lagos. The event will also unveil the Cybersecurity Lab Project to partner institutions.
He added that the Graduate Employment Scheme has already started at the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, with plans to expand.
“Like I said, the scholarship is just the entry point. There are other things that we will keep introducing to ensure our partner institutions and their students continue to benefit in meaningful ways,” Udo concluded.