Fintech giant OPay has extended its N1.2 billion
scholarship initiative to Kwara State Polytechnic, making the Ilorin-based
institution the first polytechnic to benefit from the 10-year educational
investment plan.
In a statement on Wednesday, OPay announced that 20
students from the institution would each receive scholarships worth N300,000,
aimed at easing financial challenges and enabling them to focus on their
academic and personal growth.
OPay’s Managing Director and CEO, Dauda Gotring, said
the initiative goes beyond financial aid.
“Our scholarship support is to ensure that the dreams of talented scholars do
not die,” he stated. “Through this 10-year scholarship program, we are
empowering a generation that will drive innovation and progress.”
Launched in 2023, OPay’s scholarship scheme plans to
support 400 students annually across universities and polytechnics for the next
decade. Kwara State Polytechnic’s inclusion is part of a broader effort to
ensure geographical diversity and inclusivity in the selection process.
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Abdul Mohammed,
praised the initiative as a “timely intervention,” expressing gratitude to OPay
for the support that will “uplift the beneficiaries academically and
personally.”
Founded in 2018, OPay has established itself as a key
player in Nigeria’s digital economy, offering services like mobile money, bill
payments, and merchant solutions. The scholarship program reflects OPay’s
broader social mission to expand educational access and foster human capital
development in Nigeria.
Industry analysts note that the move to include
polytechnic students signals a broader shift in corporate-funded education
initiatives, recognizing the critical role of technical and vocational
education in addressing youth unemployment.
As the scholarship initiative progresses, expectations
are high that more institutions across Nigeria will benefit from OPay’s
commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators and leaders.
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