OPay has joined forces with Google to introduce a nationwide innovation competition aimed at empowering tertiary institution students in Nigeria to develop technology-driven solutions to pressing societal challenges.
The initiative, known as the National Innovation Challenge, will provide a total prize pool of ₦18 million to student teams that demonstrate outstanding creativity, problem-solving ability, and technological innovation. The competition is open to students from universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions across the country.
Participating teams will be required to identify real-world problems and build practical solutions capable of creating measurable impact in areas such as education, financial inclusion, healthcare, agriculture, sustainability, and digital transformation.
According to information released about the programme, teams must consist of five students drawn from the same institution. Entries will be assessed based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and the potential social or economic value of the proposed solutions.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the competition forms part of broader efforts by OPay and Google to support Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem and encourage young innovators to transform ideas into viable products and businesses.
The organisers have announced that the winning team will receive a grand prize of ₦10 million, while the second-placed team will earn ₦5 million. The third-place team will receive ₦3 million, bringing the total prize value to ₦18 million.
Industry stakeholders have increasingly highlighted the importance of innovation-focused programmes as Nigeria continues to witness rapid growth in its digital economy. Competitions of this nature are seen as valuable platforms for identifying emerging talent and providing students with opportunities to gain exposure, mentorship, and funding support.
Eligible students are encouraged to assemble their teams and complete the registration process before the application deadline of June 14, 2026. Successful participants will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas on a national stage and compete for funding that could accelerate the development of their projects before graduation.
The National Innovation Challenge adds to ongoing efforts by technology companies and ecosystem partners to nurture the next generation of Nigerian innovators and entrepreneurs, reinforcing the country’s position as one of Africa’s leading hubs for digital innovation.
