A scholarship from OPay has saved Ayuba Bello, a political science student at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), from dropping out due to financial difficulties.
The scholarship also prevented his family from selling their only farmland, which serves as their primary source of livelihood.
Bello, 27, is one of ten children in a farming family. Last year, he faced the reality of abandoning his education when his father could no longer afford his tuition fees. With no other means to raise the money, the family considered selling their farmland to keep him in school.
“I felt helpless because I didn’t want my education to be the reason my family lost their land. I would have carried that guilt forever,” Bello said.
As the family prepared to sell the land, relief came in the form of OPay’s scholarship program, which covered Bello’s tuition and allowed his family to keep their source of income.
His father, who had resigned himself to selling the land, expressed gratitude for the intervention. “Last year’s harvest helped us meet other family needs. If we had sold the land, we would have lost everything. This scholarship saved not just Ayuba, but all of us,” he said.
Rising education costs continue to be a major challenge for students in Nigeria. A 2021 report by Statista revealed that 41 percent of students in upper secondary school are out of school, with financial constraints being the primary reason. The situation has worsened in recent years due to inflation, making scholarships like OPay’s crucial for students from low-income backgrounds.
Executive director of the OPay Board and chief commercial officer, Elizabeth Wang, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting education.
“Ayuba Bello’s story is a testament to why we invest in students. No one should have to choose between their education and their family’s survival. Our goal is to ensure that financial hardship does not stand in the way of a brighter future,” Wang said.
With his education now secure, Bello is determined to use his political science knowledge to support his community.
He hopes to improve farming techniques in his village and help other families facing similar struggles.
“This scholarship isn’t just about me. It’s an opportunity to uplift my family and make a difference in my community,” he said.
Through initiatives like this, OPay continues to provide opportunities for students, ensuring that financial difficulties do not become a barrier to academic success.
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