By Obianuju Azukaego
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has partnered with financial technology company OPay to provide scholarships and career development opportunities for students, with 20 financially disadvantaged students expected to benefit annually over a 10 year period.
The partnership was formalised on Oct. 9 during a courtesy visit by an OPay delegation to the university, where discussions focused on educational support, technology, innovation and pathways to employment for students.
Speaking during the visit, OPay’s Head of Partnership, Mr I. K. Odiase, said the scholarship programme was designed to ease the financial burden on students and enable them to concentrate on their education.
He explained that the initiative, valued at ₦60 million, would provide ₦300,000 annually to each of 20 eligible students at the participating institution over 10 years.
According to Odiase, OPay expanded the programme to additional institutions following positive feedback from beneficiaries of its first phase, with UNIZIK selected to participate in the second phase.
He said the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its belief in education as a tool for empowering young Nigerians and expanding opportunities.
Odiase added that the scholarship scheme was expected to lay the foundation for a broader relationship between OPay and the university.
Expanding on the partnership, OPay’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Mr Itoro Udo, said the company was extending its support beyond financial assistance to include technology, innovation and career development.
Udo disclosed that OPay’s Innovation Challenge, which initially involved about 48 universities, had progressed to 10 teams, including a UNIZIK team that advanced to the boot camp.
He explained that the top four teams would qualify for the grand finale, where they would present locally developed, technology-driven ideas across different sectors to partners, including Google, 3MTT, Visa and Verve.
He also highlighted OPay’s partnership with 3MTT to develop a talent pipeline that could connect outstanding students with internship opportunities and potential job placements in the financial technology and corporate sectors before graduation.
According to Udo, UNIZIK was the 26th tertiary institution to partner with OPay under the initiative, while the company was targeting 41 institutions by the end of the year.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, thanked OPay for the partnership and welcomed the delegation to the university.
Anyaehie described UNIZIK as an institution committed to academic excellence, technology and innovation. He highlighted initiatives such as the university’s technology pilot fund and expressed interest in partnerships that would support the development and practical application of innovative ideas.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed the university’s readiness to deepen its relationship with OPay beyond scholarships, particularly in technology, innovation and accessibility.
The partnership is expected to strengthen educational support for eligible students while creating additional opportunities for practical learning, innovation and career development.
Obianuju Azukaego is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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