OPay, a leading fintech company in Nigeria, recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four additional tertiary institutions in the country: Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Benue State; Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State; Montgomery Polytechnic, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State; and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State.

Under the terms of the ₦1.2 billion 10-year partnership, OPay will award scholarships valued at ₦300,000 each to 20 students per tertiary institution annually.

Since its launch, the scholarship initiative has continued to grow, showing OPay’s long-term commitment to education and youth empowerment in Nigeria. By adding four more tertiary institutions to the scholarship programme, the brand is intentionally broadening its reach to more states and campuses, ensuring more  students have the support they need to succeed.

Speaking on the MoU signing, Itoro Udo, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager, OPay, said:

“Education is one of the most powerful tools for changing a life, and we believe every student deserves a fair shot at it, irrespective of their background. Through this partnership, OPay is investing in students who have the drive but need the support. We are proud to stand with them and to keep expanding this commitment across more institutions and more communities.”

OPay remains committed to building a Nigeria where access to financial services and education is consistent and inclusive. By scaling its scholarship initiatives and partnerships, OPay is expanding opportunities for students across the country.

About OPay
OPay was established in 2018 as a leading fintech company in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customer’s funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

….as Wike is conferred with ‘Hasken Abuja’

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The traditional leadership of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday urged the Presidency and National Assembly (NASS) for constitutional reform, demanding an increase of the nation’s capital representation in the NASS from one to three senatorial seats.

The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Dr.

The Ona of Abaji who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, said FCT currently operates with a single senatorial district, he argued that the territory’s skyrocketing population—estimated at over six million—justifies a structure equal to that of the 36 states.

“Considering the population of the FCT,we think that FCT deserves more than one senatorial district,” Dr. Yunusa stated.

The monarchs also called for the creation of additional Federal Constituencies, the establishment of more Area Councils to decentralize governance and bring development closer to the grassroots.

The monarchs appealed to Minister Wike to act as a primary mediator between the FCT and the Presidency.

Describing Wike as a “Governor among Governors” for his dual role as Minister and de facto Governor, they urged him to facilitate a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to present these constitutional aspirations directly.

The Council also sought the Minister’s intervention in rectifying the FCT’s lack of representation on the Board of Trustees of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), asserting their right as a key stakeholder state within the commission.

In recognition of his current impact on the territory, the Council of Chiefs unanimously conferred the traditional title of “Hasken Abuja” (The Light of Abuja) on Minister Wike.

The monarch noted that the honor recognizes Wike’s “visionary leadership” and “commitment to the development of the FCT,” specifically citing his recent approval for the construction of a new Ona Palace in Abaji, the upgrading of the status and welfare of FCT traditional rulers, and structural reforms that have restored dignity to the traditional institution.

Rounding out their list of “more work for hard work,” the traditional rulers requested the provision of 17 tractors—one for each of the 17 Chiefdoms—to bolster food security for the territory’s rural agrarian communities.

They also advocated for the elevation of historically significant chiefdoms, such as Garki and Jiwa, to higher statuses.

The event, which opened with remarks from former Federal Commissioner Dr. Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir, underscored a new era of collaborative governance, with the traditional institution positioning itself as a central pillar in the FCT’s drive for political and economic expansion.

In his response the FCT Minister, who was confered with ‘Hasken Abuja’ by Ona of Abaji on behalf of all the other traditional rulers said all what the traditional rulers requested for, they are entitled to them and assured them that as long as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is at the helms of the country, “whatever is due to you, will be given to you”.

Wike said, “I thank you for appreciating that Mr. President has touched virtually all the satellite towns in terms of provision of infrastructure and will continue to do that. By the grace of God, by the third anniversary of Mr. President, which will be starting from 29th of May, Mr. President will inaugurate so many projects including provision of water in Orozo, and Bwari area”.

On 2027 election the FCT Minister said, “You have made alot of request that you require your son, your daughter, whoever, that will go to National Assembly. On my own, as FCT Minister, the President cannot do it alone. You have to have somebody at the National Assembly. And now is the opportunity. This is the period to show whether indeed you love yourself”.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has announced sweeping operational successes across the country in April 2026, highlighting intensified offensives that led to the neutralisation of 201 terrorists, the rescue of 188 abducted civilians, and the arrest of 284 suspects linked to criminal and insurgent networks.

Speaking during a monthly press briefing, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops carried out coordinated land and air operations across all seven active theatres, significantly degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring security in several troubled communities.

According to the briefing, the North East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI recorded some of the most decisive outcomes, with 136 terrorists killed, multiple camps destroyed, and several high-profile arrests made.

Troops also repelled large-scale attacks, including a major assault in Kukareta, Yobe State, where 21 insurgents were neutralised and a cache of weapons recovered.

In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA led to the rescue of 70 kidnapped victims, including worshippers abducted from a church in Kaduna State.

Troops also intercepted a suspect allegedly transporting improvised explosive device (IED) components intended for use in Abuja.

Operations in the North Central region under SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE saw intensified anti-kidnapping efforts, with dozens of victims freed and terrorist enclaves dismantled across Niger, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, and Kogi States.

Notably, troops rescued victims, recovered ransom, and destroyed an illegal weapons manufacturing site in Plateau State.

However, the briefing also highlighted ongoing security challenges, including the abduction of children from an orphanage in Kogi State. While 17 of the victims escaped, troops are continuing operations to rescue those still in captivity.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE focused on combating oil theft and kidnapping, leading to the recovery of over 100,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and the rescue of several abducted civilians.

Meanwhile, in the South East, Operation UDO KA targeted the proscribed IPOB/ESN network, resulting in arrests of key figures, destruction of camps, and recovery of weapons and IEDs. A major breakthrough included the dismantling of a key enclave in Enugu State.

Beyond combat operations, the military also emphasized its Civil-Military Cooperation initiatives, including peace-building engagements, community outreach, and support for farming activities aimed at enhancing food security and stability in conflict-prone areas.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and urged continued vigilance. He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including senior officers who lost their lives in combat operations during the month.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all communities and called on citizens to support security efforts by providing timely intelligence, stressing that national security remains a shared responsibility.