Tag: OPAY

  • Cryptocurrency, virtual assets trading barred on our platform, says OPay

    Cryptocurrency, virtual assets trading barred on our platform, says OPay

    Financial technology company, OPay, has reaffirmed its strict prohibition of cryptocurrency and virtual asset trading on its platform.

    The company said as a compliant organisation committed to upholding legal, constitutional, and regulatory duties, it prioritises the safety, strength, and integrity of the financial system.

    The Chief Executive Officer of OPay Nigeria, Mr. Gotring Wuritka Dauda, said the company does not permit trading in any form of cryptocurrency or virtual currency on its platform.

    The CEO promised that OPay’s accounts and wallets would not be used in connection with such activities.

    To ensure compliance with the directive, Dauda said OPay conducts daily scans of its platform to detect any unauthorized cryptocurrency or virtual currency trading.

    According to him, any account or wallet found in breach of this policy will be closed immediately with details reported to the relevant regulatory authorities.

    “For absolute clarity, OPay has never condoned, nor will it permit, the trading of cryptocurrency or virtual assets on its platform,” Dauda said in a statement made available to The Nation.

    Read Also: Opay urges users to link NIN / BVN to accounts

    Urging all customers to ensure their OPay wallets and accounts are not involved in cryptocurrency or virtual currency transactions, the CEO warned that “non-compliance with this policy will result in account closure”.

    He expressed appreciation to OPay customers for their continued trust and support as they work together to maintain a secure and compliant financial environment.

    OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution 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, airtime and data purchase, card service, and merchant payments, among others.

    Renowned for its super-fast experience and reliable network, OPay is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) with the same insurance coverage as traditional banks.

  • Opay urges users to link NIN / BVN to accounts

    Opay urges users to link NIN / BVN to accounts

    OPay, a leading financial service institution,  has urged its customers to link the mandatory Bank Verification Number (BVN) or National Identification Number (NIN) to  their accounts.

    A statement by the firm  advised those  who have not done the account information update to do so by clicking the in-app notification and follow the steps therein as mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).

    For complaints or challenges encountered during the process, it urged customers to  contact the  customer service for assistance via the app , its official social media channels, or its offices closest to them.

    It added that they are available 24 hours daily  to resolve any complaints and guide users through the  process.

    Read Also: Senate passes NDIC Act amendment Bill for second reading

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Opay, Dauda Gotring  said :”We understand the importance of providing a seamless and secure experience for our customers.

    “This verification process will contribute to a safer financial ecosystem for everyone. We encourage all users to verify their accounts with BVN or NIN and we have built the product to guarantee a smooth process and 24/7 customer service via all channels to  provide any support needed .

    Contact OPay Customer Service in-app self-service, WhatsApp: 09165998936, phone: 0700 8888 328 or 020 18888 328,Social Channels: Instagram: @opay.ng , Twitter: OPay _ NG, Facebook: Nigeria.OPay or visit any of the 17 OPay offices near you.”

  • Opay enhances customer service with innovative solutions

    Opay enhances customer service with innovative solutions

    OPay, Nigeria’s leading financial technology company with a  headquarters  in Lagos, has revolutionised customer service by prioritising user satisfaction and implementing effective solutions.

    Managing Director of OPay, Mr. Dauda Gotring  said the Opay experience is built on transparency and timely resolution, adding that transfer or card problems are handled with diligence, with progress updates and a satisfying resolution timeline conveniently communicated within the app.

    He said a dedicated team of over 500 Customer Service Agents ensures round-the-clock service to attend to customers’ complaints and queries.

    With emphasis on the diverse needs of its users, the firm offers both physical and digital services to aid customer satisfaction.

     Its network of 17 customer service centres  across the country caters to individuals who prefer face-to-face interactions for  service-related concerns, thereby offering easy access to friendly support and a  respite from long queues.

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     According to the firm, there is a robust and responsive online customer service centre for users that  prefer online enquiries and technical resolutions.

    “Users can access a wealth of self-service resources, chat with helpful Customer Service Agents (CSAs) via real-time Live Chat, and even report disputes directly through the App. No more frustrating hold times or inconvenient branch visits.

    “The instant and interactive channel allows users to seek assistance, resolve queries, and receive support at their convenience.

    “The company ensures transparency by updating customers on the progress of their reported issues, such as transfer disputes or card-related concerns, along with a well-defined resolution timeline. This feature empowers users with real-time information and reassurance during the resolution process,” the firm said.

  • Opay announces feature to enhance fund security

    Opay announces feature to enhance fund security

    OPay, Nigeria’s leading mobile money platform, has announced a robust suite of security enhancement to ensure users’  funds are  secure.

      In a statement, Managing Director of OPay, Mr. Dauda Gotring, stress the importance of users’ financial security. He said with comprehensive regulatory compliance, innovative security features, and ongoing user education, the firm is  building a digital banking ecosystem where users can transact with confidence.

     “We have developed a short code to allow users to lock their accounts immediately if their phone or card is misplaced or stolen. So, if this ever happens to our dear users’, they can get a phone and dial #955*131# to lock their account and #955*132# to lock your card immediately without any hassle,” he said.

     According to the statement,  deposits are protected by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), offering the same level of insurance coverage as traditional banks.It said the double layer of protection shields users hard-earned money against unforeseen circumstances.

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     While underscoring the need  to protect users’ data from phishing attacks and scams, the firm expressed commitment to raising user awareness through regular SMS and in-app notifications on  the importance of never disclosing the One-Time Password (OTP),adding that  no OPay staff will ever request it.

     The platform which was recently commended by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and awarded the consumer choice award by ADVAN, operates as a licensed Mobile Money Operator (MMO) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adhering to the highest regulatory standards.

     “Adding another layer of protection, OPay’s advanced fraud detection system actively monitors for suspicious activity. If a potential scam is identified, the system triggers an immediate double-confirmation alert before any transaction occurs. This crucial pause empowers users to verify the recipient and transaction details, effectively catching scams in their tracks before any damage is done. It’s like having a vigilant financial guard protecting users in the digital marketplace,” the statement added

  • Opay takes stricter measures in KYC implementation to align with CBN regulatory guidelines

    Opay takes stricter measures in KYC implementation to align with CBN regulatory guidelines

    Leading the charge in mobile-based payments, OPay has pledged to initiate a comprehensive account removal procedure for those without a Bank Verification Number (BVN) and/or National Identification Number (NIN) from March 1, 2024.

    This commitment aligns with the recent directives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regarding Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements, which mandate the linking of individual accounts and wallets with BVN and/or NIN by the specified deadline.

    CBN has specified that the inclusion of BVN or NIN is mandatory for all new accounts or wallets.

    In a media briefing held in Lagos on Wednesday, January 25, Priscilla Olayemi, the Director of Card Business at OPay, expressed the company’s commitment to adhering to these directives by commencing the initial stages of the KYC process.

    Olayemi clarified that users with tier one accounts are now required to furnish their BVN or NIN for financial transactions, and for new account registrations, OPay mandates the submission of BVN or NIN details.

    I.K. Odiase, the Director of Partnerships at OPay, emphasized that any accounts identified as fraudulent will be promptly removed from the OPay platform, effective March 1, 2024.

    Odiase urged OPay customers to verify that the information provided during account registration aligns with their NIN and BVN records, stating, “We are strictly following CBN’s instructions, and accounts with conflicting information will be terminated.”

    Read Also: OPay blocks accounts not linked to NIN-BVN from March 1

    Addressing security concerns, Adekunle Adeyemi, Head of Marketing and Communications at OPay, highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to educate and inform customers about potential fraud risks.

    Through in-app messages and social media channels, OPay aims to keep customers vigilant and aware. Adeyemi also emphasized the security infrastructure in place, including USSD codes that customers can utilize to secure their accounts in case of theft or compromise.

    Adeyemi stated: “In addition to implementing robust security measures, we offer USSD codes that customers can dial if they suspect any compromise to their accounts. Our goal is to ensure our customers are well-protected under any circumstances.”

    OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution 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, airtime & data purchase, card service, and merchant payments, among others.

    Renowned for its super-fast experience and reliable network, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as traditional banks.

  • OPay blocks accounts not linked to NIN-BVN from March 1

    OPay blocks accounts not linked to NIN-BVN from March 1

    Opay, a leading financial technology company, has said that customers who are non-compliant with the Know Your Customer (KYC) directive of NIN-BVN linkage of tier-1 accounts will be unable to carry out transactions from March 1. 2024.

    This was announced at the media parley in Lagos by the fintech company.

    The company explained that it was part of implementing the Know Your Customer (KYC) directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Director of Partnership for Opay, Ik Kolawole Odiase, said by March 1, any account holder non-compliant with the directive to link his/her BVN and NIN would be logged out of the platform.

    “Any fraudulent account will be wiped off. Going forward, you have to link your NIN and BVN which must both align,” he said.

    According to him, the platform has introduced a series of innovations and security measures to protect depositors’ funds, saying, “We are concerned about the safety of depositors’ funds.

    Read Also: Interswitch, Opay partner to enhance digital payment

    Director of cards business Olayemi Precilia said: ” We are simply following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures in financial institutions. The electronic revalidation process will ensure that the Bank Verification Number (BVN) or National Identification Number (NIN) linked to all accounts complies with regulatory mandates.

    “This measure has been upgraded to our platform, to ensure that users can seamlessly update the necessary information needed by them for proper security measures to be put in place,” she said.

    According to her, customers who fail to update their accounts with their Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identity Number (NIN) will be restricted from transactions starting from March 1, 2024.

    This is also a process to remove fake accounts from the system, Ikponmwosa Kolawole Odiase, Opay’s Director of Partnerships said.

    “In the future, new customers will need to connect their accounts with theirs for proper identity check,” he said.

  • OPay unveils ambitious plans for 2024

    OPay unveils ambitious plans for 2024

    Financial technology company OPay said it plans to build on its strength, which is modern technology, to continue to provide its customers with cutting edge financial service offerings this year.

     The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), OPay, Mr. Dauda Gotring, who unveiled the plan, said it aligns with the core value principles of ‘customer first’ and ‘excellence in innovation’ vision and mission of the organisation.”

     Gotring stated OPay was thrilled by its exceptional achievements in 2023 and having successfully carved its niche in the financial industry, the organization was set to reach new milestones this year.

     His words: “In 2023, OPay gained significant milestones, gaining dominance and relevance in the financial industry evident with the exponential growth of its customer base, people empowerment with the agent and merchant networks.

    “We provided affordable financial services through our robust technology payment platform; we were resilient to our mission in making financial services more inclusive through Technology.

     “I say thank you to our esteemed customers for your continued patronage and regulators for their guidance to ensure strict conformance in our service offerings.”

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    According to the OPay CEO, the organisation’s success story in 2023 spanned across three key areas namely business achievement, continued reinforcement of its platform’s security system, and brand recognition.

     Gotring said, for instance, that by leveraging on its modern robust technology, OPay provided superfast financial payments to customers, agents and merchants during the redesign of the Naira notes, causing a cash crunch and fall over to digital payments as a primary means of payment in Nigeria.

     He also said in the same year, OPay issued millions of verve debit cards at a subsidized price, deployed with the most seamless card-linking technology made available to the entire Nigerian populace, with customers able to purchase debit cards from agents within their localities.

     “We opened up 17 customer centre locations across Nigeria to resolve customer complaints, and inquiries, amongst other agent and merchant solutions with the goal to make financial services more inclusive through technology,” Gotring added.

    He further stated that the company’s continued reinforcement of the platform’s security system helped mitigate fraud and scams prominent within the digital payment system to protect customer funds ultimately, building a “safe and secure” platform.

     The other key success area, Gotring said was brand recognition wherein Opay was in 2023 recognized by various independent organisations for its outstanding financial service offerings to its customers as a result of its modern, robust technology.

     He listed some of the recognitions to include the September 2023 CNBC and Statista global ranking as the “Sole” Nigerian digital platform; the November 2023 Digital Nigeria 2023 awards organized by NITDA for “Innovation Solutions”, Customer Satisfaction”, Social Impact and Market Penetration”; and the ADVAN African Consumer Choice Award 2023 for Best FINTECH.(Financial Technology)

     Giving some insights into Opay’s market penetration plans for this year and beyond, Gotring said the company will continue to provide customers with the best payment user experience and offer more value-added services on the platform to customers, agents and merchants such as “Pay with OPay Wallet solution” and more.

    “We will remain driven by our mission in making financial services more inclusive through technology, one of our strengths as an organisation and continue to relentlessly work to achieve our vision to become the most respected and trusted financial institution to create social value in Nigeria,” he said.

     The Opay boss said in addition to innovative products and services, the company was poised to bring innovative service to customers’ fingertips.

     Accordingly, in addition to the 17 physical customer service locations across the country made available for customer dispute and resolution, OPay will develop a world class, first of its kind online customer service accessible on the Mobile App with 500+ experienced staff members well-equipped with newest technology available to attend to customers via active chat rooms.

    “This will enable OPay customers from the comfort of any location using their mobile phone make inquiries about their products and services, log complaints such as failed or disputed transfers, card dispute, login password, account upgrade amongst others and in-turn receive online instant responses from Opay’s customer service experts.

     Gotring also said the company will prioritize the platform’s security by leveraging technology for continued reinforcement of the payment platform robust network, introducing new security tools, and other elements to ensure customer funds remain very safe and 100% secure.

     ‘As an organiation that is sensitive to industry dynamics while learning from best practices and thrives on innovative solutions, we would develop new security features at different levels of account onboarding (pre-application stage), proactively introduce different transaction advance security alerts such as facial recognition to validate payments and improve on other special security features,” he stated.

    Also to be prioritized this year, Gotring said, is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to to create social value by way of printing Opay’s footmarks in the sands of time by giving back to society.

     “OPay will be empowering the youths “Leaders of Tomorrow” to provide long term educational scholarships to secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide and internship programs to build their entrepreneurial and working skills ahead before attaining employment phase,” he said.

  • OPay emerges winner in Fintech category at Digital Nigeria 2023 Awards

    OPay emerges winner in Fintech category at Digital Nigeria 2023 Awards

    Nigeria’s leading fintech platform, OPay has emerged winner in the Fintech Category of the prestigious Digital Nigeria 2023 Awards Dinner organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    OPay’s commitment and drive to innovation and customer-centric solutions were rewarded at the prestigious Awards Gala proudly securing its position as Nigeria’s leading fintech platform

    This prestigious Awards Gala, which celebrates excellence within Nigeria’s financial technology sector, is dedicated to recognising outstanding individuals and organisations for their significant contributions to various facets of information technology development.

    OPay’s victory in the fintech category further reinforces the platform’s genuine contribution by transforming and simplifying payments for Nigerians.

    Read Also: Meta, DHL, Opay, others face sanctions for data breaches

    The event was held at the International Conference Center on October 26 drawing distinguished attendees, including high-ranking government officials, industry experts, NITDA staff, and members of the media.

    OPay’s mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology remains unwavering, and the fintech giant remains committed to directing its efforts towards creating tailored products and services that empower customers and deliver unique, customer-focused experiences for its tens of millions of users.

    OPay further reiterated its full compliance with CBN guidelines to provide secure, fast, and convenient financial services to our valued customers through advanced technology for KYC onboarding, risk control, and innovative products.

  • OPay denies opening accounts without customers’ consent

    OPay denies opening accounts without customers’ consent

    Head of Marketing OPay Digital Services Limited, Adekunle Adeyemi has denied reports of active accounts or wallets on OPay app created without the knowledge of customers.

    He said: “This prompted us to immediately commence an investigation to determine the authenticity of these claims as all OPay wallets are adequately registered in line with regulatory requirements, based on our investigation, we discovered that these accounts were indeed opened by the owners at different times, but generally between 2019/2020.

    Read Also: Meta, DHL, Opay, others face sanctions for data breaches

    ” When contacted by our team, some of the individuals have, however, claimed not to remember whether/when they opened the account. At least four of the complaints received via social media have been checked, and all four of them have been contacted to resolve the concerns raised.

    “It is imperative to note that some of these accounts have had no balance in them since they were opened. As a law abiding, strictly regulated entity, we have unequivocally inquired of these individuals if they would like to retain the accounts, and we obliged based on their responses.”  Adeyemi added.

    “I  would like to say that the OPay wallet can only be opened through the CBN-established registration process which requires the input of an OTP authentication (one-time password) and ID authentication from the user’s phone to proceed. It is also important to note that OPay has never created (nor does it operate) any account on behalf of any individual.

    “On a final note, we would like to encourage any individual with similar concerns to contact us via any of our official channels, and the issues will be resolved promptly. As a brand, we place utmost priority on our customers’ needs and pride ourselves as a regulatory-compliant organization”. 

  • Meta, DHL, Opay, others face sanctions for data breaches

    Meta, DHL, Opay, others face sanctions for data breaches

    The federal government has begun probes into the activities of Meta formerly known as Facebook, a haulage company, DHL, and online payment platform OPay for alleged data breaches. 

    The companies, if found liable, would forfeit two percent of their annual gross revenue to the government. 

    Findings by our correspondent revealed that there have been a barrage of complaints against the companies by Nigerians over the violation of data subjects’ rights.

    It was learnt that the Nigeria Data Protection Commission has opened investigations into the data processing activities of the affected data controllers. 

    This is the second time the NDPC would open probes into the activities of some companies, banks and universities in the country over alleged data infractions. 

    Our correspondent gathered that the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, had warned during the Commission’s presentation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 to the public that infractions would attract penalties in accordance with the letter and spirit of law.

    Olatunji said the commission would not hesitate in “safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria data economy ecosystem.”

    Read Also: FACT CHECK: Video of OPay agents protest in Ikeja FALSELY shared as recent

    He warned data controllers and processors against all forms of data processing which are not in tandem with the Act, insisting that the Chief Executive Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government would be held liable for infractions. 

    The Nation learnt that complaints against Meta touch on behavioural advertising without explicit consent of data subjects. Approximately 40 million Facebook accounts in Nigeria might have been affected by the data processing under investigation. This also has significant implication for the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

    DHL on the other hand is facing investigation for allegedly violating the lawful basis and principles of data protection, it was discovered. 

    Sources privy to the investigations said DHL’s data processing falls short of the confidentiality standard prescribed under the Nigeria Data Protection Act. The Act in section 24(2) (2) notes that “A data controller and data processor shall use appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data.”

    On its part, Opay might be called upon to answer for allegations that it opens bank accounts for data subjects without their consent. If this is true, it would amount to a grave violation of data privacy rights of affected data subjects, our Correspondent gathered. 

    A report attributed to Opay says the platform has about 40 million data subjects. 

    Finding by our Correspondent shows that Nigeria Data Protection Commission has served each of the data controllers with Notice of Investigation. The companies, it was learnt, have ample opportunities to defend themselves against the law of the country.