About the Challenge

More Than a Competition

The Innovation Challenge is an expanded, holistic initiative that builds on OPay's flagship ₦1.2 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.

Objectives

Build digital and problem-solving skills in Nigeria's next generation of innovators.

Drive technology solutions for real social impact — from healthcare to agriculture to finance.

Connect top talent with mentorship, funding, and career opportunities in Africa's tech ecosystem.

Innovation Theme

Choose Your Domain

Participants can innovate across any of these high-impact sectors reshaping Africa's future.

Fintech & Digital Payments

Healthtech

Cybersecurity & Data Protection

Edtech

AI & Automation for Social Good

Climate & Sustainability Solutions

Agritech

Digital Tools for SMEs & Informal Sector

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have downloaded the Gemini App and initiated basic prompts within Gemini.

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.

Prizes and Benefits

Grand Finale Prizes

1

st Place

OPay National Innovator of the Year

₦10,000,000 project grant + ₦300,000 Scholarship Award

Certificate + national media feature

Mentorship with industry experts

Advisory support for prototype development

Job opportunity

2

nd Place

₦5,000,000 project grant + ₦300,000 Scholarship Award

Certificate + national media feature

Advisory support for prototype development

OPay Innovation Fellowship

3

rd Place

₦3,000,000 project grant + ₦300,000 Scholarship Award

Certificate of participation + national media feature

OPay Innovation Fellowship

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.

Your Innovation Journey Starts Here

Deadline

July 3, 2026

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