BY: Abdullateef Sebiotimo
Claim:
A viral notice circulating on social media claims that OPay will suspend its operations and go on an indefinite break starting September 1, 2026, advising customers to withdraw their funds.
Verdict:
FALSE.
Full Text:
A fabricated “Official Note” addressed to OPay customers recently began circulating on social media, claiming the fintech company would halt operations and stop processing transactions or account-related services from September 1, 2026. The publication further advised customers to withdraw their funds immediately to avoid inconveniences. On August 30, 2026, this false claim was notably amplified by an X user identified as Cute Hafserh, operating under the handle (@haifah_er_abba).
OPay is currently one of the top digital lenders and financial technology platforms in Nigeria, serving an estimated 46 million to 50 million users and supporting over one million merchants across the country. The platform’s user base saw massive expansion during recent periods of cash shortages in Nigeria, making electronic payment channels like OPay critical for everyday transactions. With monthly active transacting users reaching nearly 40 million and a gross transaction value in the hundreds of billions of dollars, any panic could disrupt the local economy and cause distress among millions of Nigerians who rely on the platform daily.
This is not the first time OPay has been targeted by malicious rumors intended to incite fear. In November 2025, the fintech company had to combat similar social media reports alleging that customer accounts had been wiped, deposits lost, and operations suspended as seen here. OPay successfully dismissed those claims as false at the time, assuring users their funds were intact and accessible.
The rapid spread of this fake notice posed a risk of triggering a financial panic and a potential bank run, which is why FactCheckAfrica immediately stepped in to verify the report.
Verification:
OPay officially debunked the claim on its verified X account, stating explicitly that the company is not going on a break in September and remains fully operational as seen here. The company highlighted multiple inconsistencies in the fabricated document that prove it did not originate from OPay. The viral notice used an incorrect, outdated OPay logo and misspelled the brand name as “Opay” instead of the official “OPay” branding.
Furthermore, the design and formatting of the circulated notice did not align with OPay’s official communication templates. The company urged users to look out for these red flags and rely strictly on its verified channels for authentic updates.
To curb the spread of the misinformation, OPay Digital Services Limited also took direct legal action. As seen here, the company issued a formal demand letter to X user Cute Hafserh on August 31, 2026. The letter, signed by Chief Legal Counsel Akinfolabi Moses Rokosu, stated that the publication lacked any factual or legal basis. The company demanded that the user permanently delete the defamatory post by 11:59 PM WAT that same day, issue a clear retraction, and tender an unreserved apology. The letter warned that failure to comply would result in severe legal action for the reputational and commercial damage caused to the brand’s business operation. Cute Hafserh has already done that as seen here.
Conclusion:
The rumor that OPay is shutting down or going on an indefinite break in September 2026 is entirely fabricated and malicious. OPay remains fully operational, and the company has a history of successfully navigating and debunking similar misinformation campaigns aimed at its massive user base. Members of the public are strongly advised to disregard the viral notice, avoid spreading unverified information, and always confirm announcements through the company’s verified communication channels.
