Nigeria’s leading fintech company, OPay, has introduced its latest security innovation, the Location Guard, at the grand finale of its My OPay Security Vote Challenge held at its Lagos headquarters. The event drew a lively crowd that included popular entertainers and digital creators such as Funke Akindele, Layi Wasabi, Broda Shaggi, and Brain Jotter, who thrilled the audience with a live performance of his viral campaign track.
The nationwide challenge ran for several weeks across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), drawing thousands of creative entries and reaching more than 200 million users. Participants explored the theme of digital security through comedy skits, short educational clips, animated content, and music, each expressing what online safety means in daily financial life.
The initiative was inspired by seven of OPay’s key security features — Large Transaction Shield, Scam Alert, Large Transaction Double Check, Emergency Lock, USSD Lock, Night Guard, and Online Subscription Control. The competition concluded with four winners, one from each major social platform, who were flown into Lagos to celebrate alongside other standout creators.
One of the finalists, student entrepreneur Zarifa Golden-Kalio, shared how OPay supports her small zobo drink business. “Receiving payments from customers is so easy with OPay,” she said. “I based my entry on the Scam Alert feature because it keeps my money safe and gives me peace of mind.”
Actress Funke Akindele, a key voice in the campaign, praised OPay’s forward-thinking approach. “It’s painful to lose your hard-earned money to fraud,” she remarked. “I appreciate OPay for being innovative and creating tools that protect users from scams.”
Speaking during the launch, Elizabeth Wang, OPay’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the company’s commitment to user safety. “At OPay, our customers come first, and security remains our top priority,” she said. “We already have seven strong protection features, and with the launch of Location Guard, we’re taking another big step to ensure users are safe in every situation.”
The newly introduced Location Guard uses advanced location intelligence to detect and prevent suspicious activities. When a transaction is initiated from an unfamiliar location, the system instantly triggers Face ID verification, adding an extra layer of defense. “It’s a smart, proactive approach,” Wang noted. “Wherever our users go, their OPay account goes with them — securely.”
Since its establishment in 2018, OPay has grown into one of Nigeria’s most trusted fintech brands, providing inclusive financial services through technology. Its offerings span money transfers, bill payments, airtime and data purchases, card services, and merchant payments. The platform is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by the NDIC, ensuring customers enjoy the same level of protection as those using commercial banks.
