OPay has officially opened applications for its 2026 National Innovation Challenge, a prestigious initiative designed to empower Nigeria’s brightest undergraduate minds.
This program seeks to transform talented students into the next generation of African “technovators” by providing a robust platform for digital transformation.
Building on a massive ₦1.2 billion scholarship commitment, the challenge encourages participants to develop technology solutions for high-impact sectors.
Applicants are invited to innovate across diverse domains, including Fintech, Healthtech, Agritech, and AI for social good.
Funding and benefits
The stakes are high, with the first-place winner set to receive a ₦10,000,000 project grant and a ₦300,000 scholarship award.
Beyond the financial boost, the “National Innovator of the Year” secures a guaranteed job opportunity and direct mentorship from industry experts.
Second and third-place winners will also receive significant support, with ₦5,000,000 and ₦3,000,000 grants respectively.
All top finishers will benefit from national media exposure and admission into the exclusive OPay Innovation Fellowship.
Application requirements and eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled as undergraduates in any course of study at a Nigerian tertiary institution.
Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, maintaining a minimum CGPA of 3.5/5 for university students or 2.8/4 for those in colleges and polytechnics.
Technical proficiency is a core requirement, specifically in AI-assisted design using the “canva-gemini” workflow.
While the competition is open to all qualified students, OPay has indicated that preference will be given to those who can demonstrate significant financial hardship.
The selection process includes a virtual webinar series and a timed exam, leading to an intensive six-week virtual innovation bootcamp for the top 10 teams.
Finalists will pitch their refined solutions to industry giants and angel investors at the Empowering Futures Conference in November.
Deadline
Aspiring technovators must act quickly, as the window for applications is strictly limited.
All submissions must be completed in English and uploaded to the official portal no later than June 14, 2026.
To apply, visit OPay call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
