By Ayomide Otitoju
A scholarship from OPay, a leading financial institution, has enabled Ayuba Bello, a student at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), to achieve his dream of higher education while saving his family’s farmland from being sold.
In a statement on Sunday, OPay highlighted its commitment to transforming lives through its scholarship program, which not only covers tuition fees but also provides additional resources to help students excel academically and personally.
“For Ayuba, becoming a student at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was more than academic progress—it was the fulfillment of a cherished childhood dream. However, like many gifted young Nigerians, Ayuba’s dream was on the verge of being derailed due to financial constraints,” the statement read.
The 27-year-old, one of ten children in a family of subsistence farmers, faced the possibility of dropping out of school last year. The only viable solution at the time appeared to be selling the family’s farmland, their primary source of livelihood. However, OPay’s scholarship intervention prevented this from happening, securing both Ayuba’s education and his family’s future.
Expressing gratitude for the scholarship, Bello said, “I didn’t want any of my siblings to say that it was because of my education that the family land was sold. I am happy that OPay came to the rescue just in time. Selling the family land would have made me feel guilty for years.”
The impact of the scholarship has extended beyond Bello’s education, preserving his family’s means of sustenance. “With the harvest from our land last year, we were able to sell enough produce to cover other family needs. OPay’s scholarship didn’t just help Ayuba; it helped our entire family,” said Bello’s father.
According to a 2021 report by Statista, approximately 41 per cent of students in upper secondary education levels are out of school, with financial difficulties being the primary cause. Rising inflation has nearly doubled the cost of education compared to five years ago, making scholarship programs like OPay’s a crucial lifeline for many families.
Commenting on the initiative, Elizabeth Wang, Executive Director of the OPay Board and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the program’s transformative impact.
“Ayuba Bello’s story is a powerful example of how access to education can change lives. OPay has been driving transformative initiatives, with education leading the way. Our goal is to ensure that no talented student has to sacrifice their dreams or their family’s livelihood due to financial constraints,” Wang said.
Bello, who is studying political science, is already looking ahead to ways he can contribute to his community. “I want to use my knowledge to improve farming techniques in my community. This scholarship isn’t just an opportunity for me; it’s a chance to uplift others,” he stated.
Established in 2018, OPay offers a wide range of financial services, including money transfers, bill payments, airtime and data purchases, card services, and merchant payments. The company continues to invest in initiatives that promote education and financial inclusion across Nigeria.
