OPay has shortlisted 48 student teams for the next stage of its 2026 National Innovation Challenge after receiving more than 2,200 team entries from over 11,000 undergraduates across Nigerian tertiary institutions, marking a major milestone in the fintech firm’s nationwide innovation and talent development programme.
The selected teams emerged after an evaluation process that assessed the originality, relevance, quality and potential impact of their proposed technology-driven solutions. Half of the finalists come from OPay’s partner institutions, while the remaining teams represent non-partner universities and polytechnics, reflecting the company’s effort to broaden access to innovation opportunities for students nationwide.
The National Innovation Challenge forms part of OPay’s expanded Scholars Programme, which also includes a N1.2 billion scholarship initiative running over 10 years and the OPay Futures career development platform. Brandspur Brand News reports that the innovation contest is designed to help students transform practical ideas into scalable solutions while strengthening their technical and entrepreneurial skills.
The 48 teams will now participate in a six-week virtual mentorship and learning programme featuring experts from OPay, Google and the Federal Government’s 3MTT initiative. The sessions will focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and product development, with participants refining their ideas ahead of the next selection stage.
Following the training programme, only 10 teams will progress to the competition’s final phase. In addition to competing for a share of the N18 million prize fund, eligible participants who achieve at least 70 percent in the programme’s assessment will secure three-month internship placements with OPay and partner organisations, providing hands-on industry experience and exposure to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
According to OPay, the expanded Scholars Programme is intended to support students beyond financial aid by combining scholarships, innovation training, mentorship and career opportunities. The company said the initiative aims to help develop the next generation of technology professionals and entrepreneurs capable of contributing to Nigeria’s digital transformation and long-term economic growth.
