{
  "id": 10810073,
  "title": "OPay names top 10 teams in N18m national innovation challenge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/opay-names-top-10-teams-in-n18m-national-innovation-challenge",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T23:54:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/opay-names-top-10-teams-in-n18m-national-innovation-challenge/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OPay has unveiled the top 10 teams advancing to the next phase of its National Innovation Challenge, a program under the expanded OPay Scholars Programme in partnership with Google and the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. The fintech company aims to empower young Nigerians with skills, opportunities, and support to build solutions for real-world challenges. Over 11,000 students submitted applications, leading to a final shortlist of 48 teams, which underwent a six-week employability Webinar to enhance their knowledge and workplace-relevant skills. The ten outstanding teams, representing tertiary institutions such as Miva Open University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, will now participate in a Boot Camp to further develop, test, and refine their solutions under the guidance of experienced mentors and industry professionals. The challenge offers a total prize pool of N18 million and provides participants with practical experience, mentorship, and pathways to opportunities within the innovation and technology ecosystem.",
  "summary": "Fintech company OPay has announced the top 10 teams advancing in its N18m National Innovation Challenge, held in partnership with Google and the FG’s 3MTT. Read More: https://punchng.com/opay-names-top-10-teams-in-n18m-national-innovation-challenge/",
  "key_points": [
    "OPay selects top 10 teams for National Innovation Challenge",
    "Challenge offers N18 million prize pool and mentorship",
    "Participating teams from Miva Open University and other institutions"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The selection of top 10 teams in OPay's National Innovation Challenge signifies a major step towards empowering young Nigerians with skills and opportunities to tackle real-world challenges through technology and innovation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "OPay names top 10 teams in N18m national innovation challenge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/opay-names-top-10-teams-in-n18m-national-innovation-challenge-10810913",
        "published": "2026-09-29T23:58:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}