Leading financial technology company, OPay, has announced plans to host the Empowering Futures Conference 2025 on October 31 at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, marking one year since it launched its ₦1.2bn, 10-Year Scholarship Programme to promote education and youth development across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the fintech company said the conference will bring together stakeholders from academia, the private sector, civil society, and the media to review the progress made over the past year and discuss new strategies for expanding the impact of corporate social investments in the country.
Since its inception in 2024, OPay’s ₦1.2bn Scholarship Programme has become one of the most prominent youth empowerment projects in Nigeria’s fintech sector. The initiative, which spans ten years, was designed to provide sustainable educational support to Nigerian students from low-income backgrounds.
According to the company, in its first year, the scholarship programme successfully partnered with 20 tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones, benefiting hundreds of students through financial assistance that covers tuition, accommodation, and essential study materials.
The Empowering Futures Conference 2025 will serve as both a reflection point and a platform for unveiling new OPay-led initiatives. Chief among these is the OPay CyberLab Initiative, which aims to advance digital literacy and innovation among students in Nigerian higher institutions.
The company explained that the CyberLab Initiative will focus on providing access to digital training resources, mentorship opportunities, and practical exposure to cybersecurity and financial technology tools, equipping young Nigerians with skills relevant to today’s technology-driven economy.
In addition, the conference will spotlight OPay’s Graduate Recruitment Initiative, which connects top-performing graduates from Nigerian universities and polytechnics with employment opportunities within the company’s expanding ecosystem.
OPay stated that these programmes align with its long-term vision of empowering the next generation with the education, technology, and professional opportunities needed to thrive in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy.
Speaking ahead of the event, Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer at OPay, said the company remains deeply committed to improving lives through access to education and technology.
“At OPay, our belief is simple: access to quality education and technology creates lasting change,” Wang said. “Through the Scholarship Programme, Graduate Recruitment, and now the CyberLab Initiative, we’re helping young Nigerians turn potential into purpose. The Empowering Futures Conference is our way of celebrating these strides and inspiring even greater collaboration for national impact.”
The company noted that the 2025 conference would feature discussions on youth empowerment, innovation, and the role of public-private collaboration in achieving inclusive development.
Stakeholders are expected to deliberate on topics such as building resilient education systems, supporting digital transformation in Nigerian universities, and creating employment pathways for young graduates.
The event will also recognise institutions and individuals who have contributed to advancing education, innovation, and community development through the OPay Scholarship Programme.
Industry observers say OPay’s growing involvement in social investment initiatives represents a shift among fintech firms toward broader societal engagement beyond financial inclusion. The company’s programmes have been widely praised for targeting critical areas such as digital skills training and job readiness, which are central to Nigeria’s economic future.
Established in 2018, OPay has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading financial service providers, offering digital payment and financial solutions to millions of individuals and businesses nationwide.
The fintech firm provides services including money transfer, bill payment, airtime and data purchase, card services, and merchant payment solutions. It is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), offering customers the same level of protection as commercial banks.
Renowned for its reliability and fast transaction network, OPay has continued to expand its influence in the fintech sector, not only as a financial service provider but also as a key player in youth empowerment and digital inclusion.
With the launch of the Empowering Futures Conference 2025, the company aims to deepen its social impact by building stronger partnerships that drive innovation, inclusion, and opportunity for young Nigerians.
