Opay has introduced a comprehensive suite of security enhancements designed to give users greater control over their accounts and safeguard transactions, reinforcing its push for safer digital finance across Nigeria. The announcement was made during a briefing that also celebrated winners of the Opay Security Challenge, a 10-week campaign promoting in-app safety tools.
The company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Elizabeth Wang, described the upgrades as part of Opay’s long-term commitment to making financial services both safer and more accessible for millions of Nigerians. She emphasised that user protection remains central to Opay’s strategy, backed by round-the-clock customer care support.
One of the most notable innovations is the introduction of Face ID verification, a first-of-its-kind feature in Nigeria’s fintech sector. It requires facial authentication for large transactions and transfers made late at night, adding an extra layer of defence against fraud. Wang noted that Face ID has been active for ten weeks and is already helping users shield their funds.
Opay also rolled out a USSD Lock, an emergency measure that enables customers to immediately freeze their accounts or cards if their phone is lost or compromised, a crucial tool at a time when mobile theft and account breaches are rising.
Public figures present at the event endorsed the upgrades. Actress Funke Akindele praised the move as forward-thinking, while content creators Brother Shaggi, Layi Wasabi, and Brain Jotter highlighted the importance of real-time security solutions in protecting users and strengthening Nigeria’s broader fintech ecosystem.
The event also featured the grand finale of the **Opay Security Challenge**, where participants showcased their understanding of Opay’s safety tools. Throughout the campaign, weekly winners received N50,000, and four grand prize winners went home with N1 million each across Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook. Winners shared how the campaign boosted their trust in the platform and deepened public awareness of financial security.
Opay’s Enterprise Marketing Manager, Oluwaseun Imade, explained that the challenge was designed to educate users on key security features such as Scam Alert, Night Guard, Large Transaction Shield, Online Subscription Control, USSD Lock, Large Transaction Double Check, and Emergency Lock.
“We’re not just rewarding participation; we’re shaping a safer digital environment for millions of Nigerians,” Imade said.
Wang closed the event by reaffirming Opay’s mission to build trust through technology. According to industry observers, these strengthened safeguards may set a new benchmark for digital payment security in Nigeria and could prompt other fintech platforms to raise their standards, a development with meaningful implications for MSMEs and everyday users who rely heavily on mobile transactions.
