Opay Awards Scholarships to ABU Indigent Students. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has been awarded a scholarship grant worth N12 million from Opay Digital Company.
The grant will support 40 underprivileged students, each of whom will receive N300,000 to help fund their education.
Scholarship Disbursement and MoU Signing
The scholarship disbursement took place at the Vice-Chancellor’s office on Friday, November 8, 2024, alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ABU and Opay Digital Company.
Opay’s Managing Director, Mr. Dauda Gotring, explained that the scholarship program is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts. He emphasized that this initiative aims to give back to society and support education. Mr. Gotring also noted Opay’s unique connection with ABU, which motivated the selection of 40 students from the university for the program.
Company’s Vision and Additional Support
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Mr. Gotring highlighted Opay as a brand firmly rooted in Nigeria, focused on promoting financial inclusion and targeting small end users, in alignment with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s digital policy. Additionally, he announced plans to empower women in Zaria through startup initiatives and other income-generating programs. Mr. Gotring expressed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and university management for their support and hospitality.
University Management’s Response
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Vice-Chancellor Professor Kabiru Bala expressed appreciation to Opay on behalf of ABU, recognizing the scholarship’s impact in addressing the financial needs of the beneficiaries. He shared that the university had previously requested Opay to increase the number of recipients and was pleased that this request was granted. Professor Bala also welcomed the planned women empowerment initiative and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting the surrounding community. He encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly to further their academic success.
Screening Process for Beneficiaries
Dr. Sa’adatu Muhammad Makarfi, Director of the Counselling and Human Development Centre, provided details on the selection process. She disclosed that out of 959 identified underprivileged students, 40 were selected following a rigorous screening process. Dr. Makarfi praised Opay for addressing the needs of the university’s most vulnerable students.
Attendance at the Event
The signing ceremony saw attendance from senior university officials and Opay representatives. Present were Deputy Vice-Chancellors Professor Ahmed Doko Ibrahim (Administration) and Professor Raymond Bako (Academic), as well as the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Sahalu Junaidu, and the Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwalu Umar. Other attendees included Dr. Idris Bashir Bugaje, Director of ICERFE, legal representatives of the university, and staff from the Counselling and Human Development Centre, including Dr. Sa’adatu Atiku.
The event marked a milestone in ABU’s efforts to enhance student support through external partnerships.
