Opay Innovation Challenge For Undergraduates 2026 | ₦19.2 million Prizes
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OPay has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its National Innovation Challenge for Nigerian undergraduate students.
The Opay Innovation Challenge offers a ₦19.2m awards in grants and scholarships for the winners of the competition.
This post will walk you through the full details of the program, including the step-by-step guide on how to apply.
Opay Innovation Challenge Summary
- Host Country: Nigeria
- Category: Competitions
- Eligible Country: Nigeria
- Reward: ₦19.2m Grants & Scholarships | Certification | Mentorship | Job Opportunity
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: June 14, 2026
Opay National Innovation Challenge Details:
The OPay National Innovation Challenge empowers Nigeria’s brightest undergraduates to create tech solutions that transform Africa.
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.
Eligibility Requirements for OPay Innovation Challenge 2026
To be considered for the OPay Innovation Challenge 2026, you must:
- demonstrate proficiency in AI-assisted design (canva-gemini workflow)
- be an undergraduate student offering any course of study in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution.
- 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.
Benefits of OPay Innovation Challenge 2026
Prizes and Benefits include;
1st 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
2nd Place
- ₦5,000,000 project grant + ₦300,000 Scholarship Award
- Certificate + national media feature
- Advisory support for prototype development
- OPay Innovation Fellowship
3rd Place
- ₦3,000,000 project grant + ₦300,000 Scholarship Award
- Certificate of participation + national media feature
- OPay Innovation Fellowship
Available Innovation Themes
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
How to Apply for OPay Innovation Challenge 2026 (Step by Step)
To apply for the OPay Innovation Challenge 2026, interested and qualified candidates should;
- Click the green button below to go to the program webpage.
- Click APPLY NOW and proceed to the application portal.
- Shortlisted teams will be announced in June 2026.
- Finalist will attend a 6-week virtual innovation bootcamp hosted by OPay Digitals experts.
- High-performing contestants go through mentorship with internships and job placement opportunities.
- The top 4 teams will pitch their refined solutions to tech industry giants and angel investors at the Empowering Futures Conference 2.0.
Deadline: June 14, 2026
