Opay Digital Company, a mobile money provider, has awarded scholarships totalling N12 million to 40 financially challenged students at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria.
The Director of the Public Affairs Directorate at ABU, Auwalu Umar, announced the scholarship distribution in a statement released in Zaria on Friday, specifying that each of the 40 students received N300,000.
According to Umar, the scholarships were distributed on campus following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ABU and Opay.
In the statement, Umar quoted Opay’s Managing Director, Dauda Gotring, who described the scholarship initiative as part of the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Gotring, an ABU alumnus, expressed that Opay maintains a strong connection with the university, which influenced the company’s decision to select 40 ABU students for the program. He further mentioned that an additional 20 students from other institutions also received scholarships.
Gotring emphasized Opay’s position in Nigeria, saying, “Opay is a brand well accepted and rooted in Nigeria, stronger than all digital financial companies put together.”
He highlighted Opay’s mission “for small end users and to promote financial inclusion as part of the digital policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.”
He added that Opay plans to support women in Zaria through entrepreneurial and commercially viable programs, thanking the ABU vice-chancellor and management for their hospitality and hoping for continued positive relations.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kabiru Bala responded with appreciation, thanking Opay for their support, and noted that the scholarships would significantly ease financial burdens for the recipients.
Reflecting on a previous interaction in July, Prof. Bala recalled, “The Chief Public Affairs Officer of the Company, Justin Zhang, came to intimate the management on their intention to offer scholarship to 20 students. I pleaded that ABU should be considered for more, being the largest university in the country, I am happy our plea has been considered.”
He also acknowledged Opay’s planned support for women, noting, “The university has a responsibility to the host community.”
The vice-chancellor urged the scholarship recipients to use the funds wisely to enhance their academic experience at the university.
