At 27 years old, a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Ayuba Bello, has narrated how the scholarship programme of OPay, a fintech company, has saved his family from selling land for his academic pursuit.
Bello, one of ten children born into a farming family, almost had to drop out of school due to financial challenges.
He said OPay’s timely intervention through the commendable scholarship programme at Ahmadu Bello University, saved the family land and restored the family’s primary source of livelihood.
“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,” he said.
The political science student said as he continues his studies, he is already thinking of ways to give back to his community.
“I want to use my knowledge to improve farming techniques in my community,” he said. “This scholarship isn’t just an opportunity for me; it’s a chance to uplift others.”
Bello’s father, on his part, said, “OPay’s scholarship didn’t just help Ayuba; it helped our entire family. With the harvest from our land last year, we were able to sell enough produce to cover other family needs.”
The Executive Director of the OPay Board & Chief Commercial Officer of OPay, Elizabeth Wang, said, “Ayuba Bello’s story is a powerful example of how access to education can transform 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 because of financial constraints.”
