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 during a courtesy visit by an OPay delegation to the university, where discussions centred on educational support, technology, innovation and employment opportunities 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 focus on their studies.
He disclosed that the initiative, valued at ₦60 million, would provide annual scholarships of ₦300,000 each to 20 eligible students over 10 years.
According to Odiase, OPay expanded the programme to more institutions following positive feedback from beneficiaries of its first phase, with UNIZIK selected to participate in the second phase.
He said the initiative underscored the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its belief in education as a tool for empowering young Nigerians and widening opportunities.
Odiase added that the scholarship scheme was expected to lay the foundation for a broader partnership between OPay and the university.
Also speaking, OPay’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Mr Itoro Udo, said the company’s support extended 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 four best-performing teams would qualify for the grand finale, where they would present locally developed, technology-driven ideas across various sectors to partners, including Google, 3MTT, Visa and Verve.
Udo also highlighted OPay’s partnership with 3MTT to develop a talent pipeline connecting outstanding students with internship opportunities and potential job placements in the financial technology and corporate sectors before graduation.
He said 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.
Prof. 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.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the partnership is expected to strengthen financial support for eligible students while expanding opportunities for practical learning, innovation and career development.
