How OPay is using CyberLabs to train tomorrow’s innovators
In a bold step toward transforming Nigeria’s education and technology ecosystem, OPay Nigeria has unveiled the CyberLab Initiative, a program designed to equip university students with practical cybersecurity skills while strengthening the company’s N1.2 billion, 10-year scholarship commitment to higher institutions nationwide.
The program, launched at the OPay Empowering Future Conference 2025, aimed at building on the fintech company’s mission to use technology as a tool for empowerment.
Elizabeth Wang, executive director and chief commercial officer of OPay Nigeria, said the CyberLab concept was inspired by a request from the University of Calabar to support its cybersecurity laboratory.
“When the vice-chancellor of the University of Calabar asked if OPay could help their CyberLab, we realized how directly this aligns with our mission to make financial services and technology more inclusive. The CyberLab Initiative will give students real-world experience with advanced systems, preparing them to build and protect the technologies of tomorrow,” Wang said.
Under the new program, OPay will equip partner universities with modern cybersecurity infrastructure and hands-on training led by its engineering team. The company also plans to integrate its proprietary systems, such as its in-house Face ID verification tool and real-time fraud detection engine, into the CyberLab curriculum to give students firsthand exposure to industry-grade security technologies.
“Three years ago, we built our Face ID system entirely in-house. Integrating such tools into our partnerships will help students understand how to design technology that prioritizes safety, trust, and efficiency,” Wang explained.
Beyond hardware and software support, OPay teams will visit universities annually to conduct workshops on cybersecurity, fintech innovation, and digital safety, mentoring students and helping bridge the gap between classroom theory and industry practice.
The CyberLab Initiative builds on OPay’s N1.2 billion scholarship program, launched in 2024 to support 400 students annually across 20 universities. The first year alone saw N126 million disbursed to 420 students, with beneficiaries selected jointly by OPay and university authorities based on merit and need.
At the conference, OPay honoured representatives from the 20 partner universities, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the first institution to sign an MOU in November 2024. Wang said the scholarship scheme reflects OPay’s belief that education is the foundation of progress.
“We ensure the process is transparent and fair. Funds are paid directly to verified student accounts, and we follow up to confirm receipt and track their progress. Together with Nigerian universities, professors, and students, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future for Nigeria,” Wang affirmed.
For Itoro Udo, OPay’s corporate social responsibility manager, the company’s initiatives demonstrate its dedication to using innovation for societal impact. “At OPay, our journey has never been just about technology. It is about building bridges and connecting communities. What good is progress if it doesn’t lift others along the way?” Udo said.
Through the CyberLab Initiative and scholarship program, OPay is positioning itself as both a fintech leader and talent enabler, nurturing a generation of digital innovators ready to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity and technology ecosystem.
