Application for OPay Innovation Challenge for Undergraduates 2026 is Open.
The Innovation Challenge is an expanded, holistic initiative that builds on OPay’s flagship N1.2 billion, 10-year scholarship commitment. By combining financial aid with an innovation challenge, professional skill-building, mentorship, and job placement opportunities, it provides talented Nigerian undergraduates with an enabling platform to become the next generation of African technovators and drivers of digital transformation.
Benefits
1st Prize
OPay National Innovator of the Year
N10,000,000 project grant + N300,000 Scholarship Award
Certificate + national media feature
Mentorship with industry experts
Advisory support for prototype development
Job opportunity
2nd Prize
N5,000,000 project grant + N300,000 Scholarship Award
Certificate + national media feature
Advisory support for prototype development
OPay Innovation Fellowship
3rd Prize
N3,000,000 project grant + N300,000 Scholarship Award
Certificate of participation + national media feature
OPay Innovation Fellowship
Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in AI-assisted design (canva-gemini workflow)
Must be an undergraduate student offering any course of study in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution.
Must have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) score of 2.8/4 for Colleges/Polytechnics, or 3.5/5 (second-class upper credit) for Universities.
Preference will be given to students who can demonstrate significant financial hardship.
Selection Process
Programme Stages & 2026 Timeline
May – June: Applications & Screening – Over 100,000 applications are projected to be received. 48 teams of 240 students to be shortlisted and announced by June.
Jun – Aug: Webinars & Exam – 6-week virtual webinar series + timed exam (30 Qs, 30 mins). Top 10 teams advance to the Bootcamp.
Aug – Sept: Boot Camp – Finalist will attend a 6-week virtual innovation bootcamp hosted by OPay Digitals experts.
July – December: OPay Futures – High-performing contestants go through mentorship with internships and job placement opportunities.
Nov 6: Grand Finale – The top 4 teams will pitch their refined solutions to tech industry giants and angel investors at the Empowering Futures Conference 2.0.
Method of Application
Click Here to Apply
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. All submissions must be in English. Files accepted: PDF, JPEG, or MP4 (max 10MB each)
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: June 14, 2026.