OPay partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria at the Global Money Week 2026 Financial Literacy Fair held on 28 April at the CBN headquarters in Abuja, targeting secondary school students across the Federal Capital Territory as part of a nationwide initiative promoting financial literacy among young Nigerians.

The event, themed “Smart Money Talks,” brought together students from schools including Doveland International School, Living Fountain International School, Government Day Secondary School Wuse, and Government Science School Maitama. Participants received practical lessons on money management, savings, and responsible spending through interactive sessions and OPay’s exhibition booth showcasing digital financial products designed for younger users.

The partnership strategically aligns OPay with Nigeria’s financial regulator at a time when fintech companies face increasing compliance scrutiny. Chukwudinma Okafor said: “Our partnership with Central Bank of Nigeria on Global Money Week reaffirms our strong alignment with regulatory priorities around consumer protection, financial literacy, and responsible financial services usage.”

The participation also reflects OPay’s broader effort to strengthen regulatory relationships beyond minimum compliance requirements, particularly as the company pursues a potential US IPO targeting a $4 billion valuation whilst serving more than 40 million Nigerian users.

Aisha Isa-Olatinwo urged students to adopt an investment-focused mindset. “Let’s not see money as an instrument to spend. Look at money as an instrument for investment, and the yield from that investment, you can spend. That way, you build a rich future,” she said.

The messaging directly addresses concerns that digital payment platforms encourage consumption through transaction convenience without equally promoting savings and wealth creation. By supporting CBN’s investment-focused narrative, OPay positions itself as advocate for responsible financial behaviour rather than simply transaction growth.

Paul Iwunwa described financial literacy as central to inclusion efforts. “OPay sees financial literacy as the foundation of true financial inclusion. By engaging students at this critical stage, OPay is not only helping shape better money habits but also contributing to a more financially responsible and economically resilient future for Nigeria,” he said.

The youth-focused initiative serves a dual purpose for OPay. In the short term, it builds positive brand affinity among young Nigerians entering the age bracket where mobile money adoption accelerates. Long term, it helps counter criticism that fintech companies prioritise customer acquisition over consumer education on financial risks and responsible usage.

For Nigeria’s fintech sector, OPay’s visible collaboration with the CBN raises expectations for competitors. When a market leader actively participates in regulator-backed financial literacy campaigns, it reinforces the idea that responsible fintech companies should contribute directly to consumer education rather than relying solely on regulation to address financial harm after it occurs.

The Global Money Week partnership also gives OPay an opportunity to demonstrate institutional maturity beyond technical compliance. As fintech regulation evolves in Nigeria, visible engagement with the CBN on youth financial education strengthens the company’s governance narrative for both regulators and investors evaluating its long-term credibility.

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