Verifiable evidence remains journalism’s foundation, despite mounting attacks on the press, WRITES Angie Drobnic Holan.
Sahara Reporters uses misleading images from Ebonyi to depict Enugu attack
SAHARA Reporters, a U.S. based news agency, has posted four photos showing a trail of destruction to depict a purported attack by suspected herdsmen on Enugu communities in Southeastern Nigeria.
According to the media outlet, the images show the attack on about 44 farm settlements, known as ‘Ndiagu’ which were reportedly overrun, with residents forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in neighbouring communities.
READ THIS: False video circulates that Enugu PDP governorship candidate was killed
The outlet used the photos on its X and news website without caption or clarifying that the images were from a separate incident. This stirred outrage by many Nigerians who thought the photos showed the level of carnage caused by the attackers.
The post has garnered more than 900,000 views, with over 4,000 reposts, plus more than 4,000 likes and over 1,000 comments on X before it was deleted.
CLAIM
Photos show herdsmen attack in Enugu State.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.
The FactCheckHub understands that the story went viral due to its connection to a recent tragic incident which occurred in Uromi, Edo State, where a mob killed about 16 travelers suspected of being kidnappers. The victims, primarily from northern Nigeria, were intercepted by local vigilantes who discovered locally made weapons in their vehicle. This discovery led to accusations of criminal intent, culminating in the travelers being lynched and their vehicle set ablaze.
The Edo State Police Command reported that the travelers were en route from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Sallah celebration when they were stopped around 1:30 p.m. in Uromi. Some were found in possession of hunting rifles, which led to suspicions and the subsequent mob action. Ten individuals were rescued, with two sustaining injuries and being hospitalized. Fourteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings.
The attack has reawakened concerns over the growing crisis of mob justice and extrajudicial killings by vigilante groups across Nigeria.
Our researcher conducted a Google Reverse Image search on the image frames posted by Sahara Reporters. The results revealed that the images depict an attack that occurred earlier in Ebonyi State in February 2025, as reported by multiple media platforms, including Sahara Reporters itself.
The media outlet had previously shared these images on February 3, 2025, to illustrate the Ebonyi attack. They were also published by The Sun newspaper, Amnesty International and News Hunter Official on Instagram, among other credible sources, thus confirming that the photos were from the Ebonyi incident.
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The images capture the aftermath of the deadly attack on Amagu and two other villages in Nkalaha community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on February 2, 2024.
The Ebonyi attack resulted in multiple casualties and significant property destruction. According to Channels Television, one of the suspects linked to the incident was arrested by the police.
The Punch reported that the assault was believed to be a reprisal attack following the alleged killing of cattle belonging to herdsmen in the area.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the images show a recent attack on Enugu communities is MISLEADING, as findings from multiple sources show that the images depict an attack by suspected herdsmen in Ebonyi State.
No! Delta is not the cheapest Nigerian state to live in
A claim that the cheapest Nigerian state to live in is Delta State has been circulating on social media.
The claim was made via X and Facebook posts and it has since generated traction on both social platforms.
The claim was made by Ossai Ovie Success on both platforms. Ossai is a media aide to the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori.
READ THIS: Did NBS say Kwara is the 3rd most expensive state to live in Nigeria?
On the X platform, Ossai posted an image that contained several foodstuff such as two 25kg bags of rice, six cartons of instant noodles, tubers of yam, crates of eggs, household provisions, condiments, beverages amongst other household items.
The caption read thus:
My friend got all these for 70k in Delta State excluding rice So kindly relocate to Delta if life is hard in your current location . So I won’t be disappointed in you.
The post has garnered over 700,000 views, more than 700 reposts, and over 500 comments on X.
Similarly, earlier on March 3, 2025, Ossai had posted a statement on Facebook claiming that Delta State is the cheapest state to live in Nigeria currently.
The post read:
The cheapest state to live in Nigeria still remains Delta State. You can never be disappointed.
It has also gone viral on Facebook with over 2,000 likes and over 2,000 comments.
A look at the comments section on both social platforms show that residents of the state disagreed with him and this prompted our researcher to verify the claim.
CLAIM
Delta state is the cheapest state to live in Nigeria.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is an economic indicator that tracks inflation by measuring changes in the prices of a selected basket of goods and services commonly purchased by households.
It reflects how the cost of living fluctuates over time, typically analyzed on a monthly or annual basis. Governments and policymakers use the CPI to assess economic trends, adjust wages, and make informed financial decisions.
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As of December 2024, Nigeria’s headline inflation stood at 34.80%, rising from 34.60% in November 2024, while food inflation reached 38.84%.
Among the states with the highest year-on-year inflation rates for all items were Bauchi, Sokoto, and Kebbi, while Imo at 29.99%, Delta at 29.23%, and Katsina 28.33% recorded the lowest increases in headline inflation.
On March 17, 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for February 2025, detailing inflation rates across states. The headline inflation rate for February 2025 was recorded at 23.18%, a decrease from 31.70% in February 2024, though calculated using a different base year. Food inflation stood at 23.51% on a year-on-year basis.
The states that had the highest year-on-year headline inflation rates were Edo which stood at 33.59%, Enugu at 30.72%, and Sokoto at 30.19% while Kaduna stood at 15.45%, Akwa Ibom at 15.53%, and Plateau at 15.74% recorded the lowest.
Month-on-month, Sokoto, Kogi and Edo saw the highest increases in headline inflation at 11.98%, 11.38% and 8.87% respectively while Kaduna, Ondo, and Plateau experienced the least increase at -8.83%, -4.78% and -3.73% respectively.
For food inflation, Sokoto, Edo and Nasarawa states had the highest annual increases, whereas Adamawa, Ondo and Oyo recorded the slowest rise. Month-on-month food inflation was highest in Sokoto, Nasarawa, and Kogi, while Ondo, Kaduna, and Oyo saw declines.
ALSO READ: No, cost of registering WASSCE is not N120,000
The FactCheckHub observed that Delta State did not rank among the states with the lowest headline or food inflation rates. Its year-on-year food inflation stood at 19.8%, while overall inflation was 21.87% for February 2025.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Delta state is the cheapest Nigerian state to live in is FALSE; recent data from the NBS show that Delta State did not rank among the states with the lowest headline or food inflation rates, as other states had lower headline or food inflation rates.
How to use Archivi.ng to access past Nigerian Newspapers
ARCHIVI.NG is a digital archive dedicated to preserving and providing access to Nigerian newspapers.
The platform serves as an invaluable resource for journalists, researchers, historians, and the general public looking to explore past news reports, political events, and social developments in Nigeria.
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It hosts a vast collection of digitized newspapers from various publications which allows users to search for and retrieve news articles dating back to decades.
“Nigerian history is inaccessible online, and the greatest repository of that history is old newspapers,” Fu’ad Lawal, the founder of Archivi.ng told Guardian. “The newspapers from our history are rotting away in libraries and private archives, and our mission is to stop the erasure and recapture all the history before we lose them for ever.”
Archivi.ng ensures that important historical records remain accessible and can be referenced for fact-checking, academic research, and investigative journalism.
In addition, it plays a crucial role in combating misinformation by preserving original publications that can be referenced to verify past claims. With the increasing spread of disinformation, especially on social media, having a reliable archive of Nigerian newspapers helps ensure that historical narratives are not distorted.
ALSO READ: How to archive posts for future reference
For instance, in our previous fact-check which assessed the veracity of a claim that the current Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, built an independent power plant during his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, the platform enabled our researchers to access stories published regarding the matter as far back as 2001.
Here’s how to navigate Archivi.ng to access past Nigerian newspapers:
1. Visit Archivi.ng
Open your browser and type: https://archivi.ng. You will land on the website’s homepage which provides a search bar and category options.
2. Use the search bar
Type keywords related to your research topic in the search bar. For example, suppose you wish to know stories published regarding President Bola Tinubu as far back as 1999. In that case, you can type “Tinubu” in the search bar, and it will lead you to stories published regarding him in Nigerian newspapers within the period. Meanwhile, you can vary the keywords or add additional information to narrow down the results.
3. Select the dates
In the search icon, there’s a portion containing a calendar. This feature enables you to choose the year and the month of the publications you want to view.
4. Press Enter on your keypad or click the search icon.
After you have selected the date, click on the search button. It will show various stories published in various newspapers regarding the topic within your chosen timeframe.
5. Browse through the search results
Once the search results appear, scroll through the list to find newspapers or articles relevant to your research. Each result typically includes the publication name, date, and a snippet of the content.
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Carefully review the headlines and summaries to identify the most useful sources. If needed, refine your search by adjusting keywords or modifying the date range to get more precise results.
Did Nigeria fail to qualify for FIFA World Cup during Buhari presidency?
A claimed that Nigeria did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has circulated on X.
An X user, @Nsukka_okpa, posted the claim with a caption thus:
“We no go World Cup for Buhari’s tenure. We no go World Cup for Tinubu’s tenure. Na APC me I Dey blame.”
The post, written in Pidgin English, has generated more than 94,000 views plus over 1,200 likes and more than 6,500 likes as of May 28, 2025.
READ THIS: Top sports misinformation that trended in 2024
The claim surfaced following Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, a result that further weakened the Super Eagles’ chances of securing a spot in the tournament.
CLAIM
Nigeria did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup during Buhari’s administration.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, as the Nigerian Super Eagles team qualified for and played during the group stage in the 2018 World Cup tournament.
Nigeria currently sits fourth in the Group C of the CAF World Cup Qualifying matches, with only the top team earning an automatic qualification slot, while the four best runners-up proceed to a playoff.
Buhari was Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023. During this period, two World Cup tournaments were held.
In 2018, Nigeria qualified for the tournament in Russia, marking the country’s sixth World Cup appearance. The Super Eagles were placed in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia, and Iceland.
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During the 2018 tournament, Nigeria lost its opening match 2-0 to Croatia, with an own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo and a Luka Modrić penalty sealing the defeat. In their second match, Nigeria revived their hopes with a 2-0 victory over Iceland, thanks to a brace from Ahmed Musa. However, in their final group match against Argentina, a late goal by Marcos Rojo condemned the Super Eagles to a 2-1 defeat, eliminating them from the tournament.
In 2022, Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar after a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Abuja. The result meant the Black Stars advanced on away goals, denying Nigeria a spot at the tournament.
In addition, Nigeria is yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup under the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as the qualifying matches are still underway and yet to be concluded. Note that this will be the first World Cup tournament to be held since Tinubu was sworn-in as Nigeria’s president on May 29, 2023.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Nigeria did not qualify for the World Cup under Buhari is FALSE; credible report shows that the country participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Photo of ‘Wizkid school’ circulating on Facebook is AI-generated
A Facebook user, Zara Onyinye, has posted an image of a building alongside a claim that the Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Ayodeji Balogun a.k.a. Wizkid, owns the school.
The post was accompanied by a caption that suggests that the singer created a free education initiative by building the school as part of giving back to the society.
The post, however, did not specify if the school is a Basic Education or Secondary School. On the purported school building was written boldly: WIZKID FC SCHOOL.
READ THIS: Burna Boy, Wizkid NOT the first Nigerians to win Grammy
The caption on the post read:
“WIZKID GIVING BACK TO QUALITY GENERATION JARE
Wizkid FC School is an initiative by Wizkid, a popular Nigerian musician, to give back to his community. Here are some benefits of the school:
- *Free Education*: The school provides free education to students, which is a significant benefit for underprivileged children.
- *Quality Infrastructure*: The school has a modern infrastructure, providing a conducive learning environment for students.
- *Empowerment*: The school empowers students with knowledge and skills, helping them to become productive members of society.
- *Community Development*: The school contributes to community development, helping to reduce poverty and illiteracy rates.
- *Mentorship*: As Wizkid’s initiative, the school may offer mentorship opportunities, inspiring students to pursue their passions.
- *Scholarship Opportunities*: The school may provide scholarship opportunities for outstanding students to further their education. These benefits align with Wizkid’s commitment to giving back to his community and empowering the next generation. ©MGC”
The post has garnered over 300 likes with more than 70 comments and 22 shares as of March 28.
Also, another Facebook page, MGC Blog, also posted the same image on the social media platform on February 8, 2025.
ALSO READ: False claim circulates that Seun Kuti is a Ghanaian
The claim was also posted on a news blog as seen here.
CLAIM
Photo shows Wizkid FC school that offers free education.
THE FINDINGS
Checks by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claim is FALSE while the image is AI-generated.
Our fact-checker examined the image posted alongside the claim and found out that the word “school” after the Wizkid FC allegedly written on the entrance of the building is wrongly spelt. This prompted him to conduct a reverse image search on the photo using Google Lens.
The results led to multiple posts from various social media platforms and one of them was found on Instagram. The photo has a watermark of Meta AI which indicates that it is AI-generated. To further verify the image used, we checked the image using hive moderation, an advanced AI detection tool, the result shows 98 percent AI-generated.
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In addition, to verify if Wizkid truly owns any school in Nigeria, our fact-checker did a keyword search using the words “Wizkid school” on Google search engine but it yielded no result.
Further checks on Wizkid’s official social media accounts did not yield any result either. Efforts to confirm from the Afrobeat singer yielded no result as at the time of filing this fact-check.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the photo shows Wizkid FC school that offers free education is FALSE; checks show that the image is AI-generated while the claim is unfounded.
No, cost of registering WASSCE is not N120,000
A viral video showing a lady saying that the cost of registering for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is now N120,000 has surfaced online.
In the viral video, which was posted on X as part of the ongoing #30daysRantChallenge, an online protest aimed at demanding good governance in the country, the lady blamed the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the nation’s Education minister for allowing the cost of the examination to skyrocket.
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The caption to the 199 seconds video read:
“You people should be ashamed of yourselves for occupying such offices. In 2018, I paid 16K to write WAEC. Now students are paying 120K for same WAEC.”
The post has garnered more than 600,000 views with over 2,500 likes, more than 3,500 likes and over 400 comments as of March 23, 2025.
CLAIM
The cost of registering WASSCE is now N120,000.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is a standardized test administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to final-year students in senior secondary schools across Anglophone West African countries.
Established in 1952, WAEC is responsible for conducting examinations and awarding certificates comparable to those of equivalent examining authorities internationally. The WASSCE is a crucial milestone for students in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia, serving as a prerequisite for gaining admission into tertiary institutions or joining the workforce.
WASSCE is typically offered in two sittings: the May/June session, which is intended for school candidates (those in their final year of secondary school), and the November/December session, designed for private candidates (those who have left secondary school but wish to improve their grades or meet university entry requirements).
The examination covers a wide range of subjects including core areas like English Language, Mathematics, and Science, as well as elective subjects depending on students’ fields of interest, such as Arts, Commerce, or Sciences.
The FactCheckHub reviewed the website of WAEC to verify the cost of registration for senior secondary students and the result shows that the cost of registration for the examination this year is N27,500 including the bank commission fee of N500.
However, students who apply 24 hours before the examination starts can pay 30,000 instead of 27000.
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A report by Punch newspaper published in November 2024 also quoted the Kwara State Ministry of Education confirming this cost of registration warning students in the state against extortion.
The cost was also confirmed in a memo published on the website of the Cross State Ministry of Education.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the cost of registering for the West West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is now N120,000 is FALSE; findings show that the cost for the 2025 edition ranges between N27,000 and N31,000 depending on the Nigerian state the student is writing the examination from.
Doctored video shows Salah saying he would exit Liverpool soon
A video with a claim that an Egyptian footballer, Mohamed Salah, has announced his exit from Liverpool at the end of the current football season has surfaced online.
The claim appeared in a video uploaded by a TikTok user, @dangerousai.
In the 60-second clip, Salah also expressed frustration with his teammates, Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez, stating that they had been frustrating him at the club.
READ THIS: How AI-generated videos could fuel sports misinformation
A caption on the video read thus: “Salah leaving Liverpool after PSG loss.”
But the transcripts of the footage’s audio read:
I have an announcement. I am leaving Liverpool at the end of the summer. Because I have had enough of Darwin Nunez and Jota. The two are the worst strikers I have ever seen… and it is honestly embarrassing. I’d probably move to Manchester City to play with my Egyptian friend, Omar Marmoush.
The video has garnered over 200,000 likes, plus more than 3,700 comments and over 57,000 reshares as of March 22, 2025.
CLAIM
Video shows Salah announcing planned exit from Liverpool.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!
When screenshots from the video was subjected to a Google Lens search, it directed us to a YouTube video resembling the claimant’s shared footage.
The video, titled “Mo Salah’s Post-Match Interview: Liverpool 2-1 Lille (21/1/2025),” was uploaded by a YouTube user Mr Mime 360 earlier in January 2025.
In the video, the interview with Salah started at the timestamp 0:16, the interviewer highlighted Salah’s goal contribution in the match against Lille, which made him Liverpool’s all-time top scorer in European competitions with a total of 50 goals.
In response, Salah expressed his hope to maintain his scoring streak. The remainder of the interview focused on Liverpool’s determination to secure the victory despite facing a strong Lille side.
A closer examination of the video revealed that the TikTok version had been mirrored, causing the brand logos in the interview background to appear with reversed spellings. This alteration is a common sign of digital manipulation, making it challenging to verify the video’s original source.
Earlier in January 2025, BeIN Sports reported that Mohamed Salah told Sky Sports about his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the 2024/2025 season. However, there have been no recent updates on this matter, and any such announcement would most likely be made public through official channels.
A closer look at the TikTok post revealed a disclaimer indicating that the video was AI-generated. The caption read: Mo Salah makes SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT after PSG eliminates Liverpool in the Champions League 😨 – I used Parrot AI to edit this.
Additionally, a review of the account showed that the user frequently shares doctored videos of soccer players granting media interviews.
ALSO READ: Top sports misinformation that trended in 2024
An analysis by The FactCheckHub has previously highlighted how AI-generated videos can contribute to the spread of sports misinformation.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the video shows Salah announcing planned exit from Liverpool is FALSE; the video has been doctored using artificial intelligence (AI).
No, State of Emergency was declared in Borno, Yobe
A verified X user, @MissPearls, has claimed that a state of emergency was never declared in Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, or Benue, saying it has now been declared in Rivers State.
The post read:
“State of Emergency was never called in Borno. It was never called in Yobe or Zamfara. Not even in Benue where herdsmen feast on bodies for breakfast. But in Rivers…”
DON’T MISS THIS: What does a State of Emergency entail in Nigeria?
The post has generated more than 290,000 views, alongside over 3,000 reposts and more than 9,000 likes as of March 21, 2025.
CLAIM
A state of emergency was never declared in Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, or Benue.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is HALF-TRUE.
In Nigeria, a state of emergency is usually declared in times of crisis, significant civil unrest, heightened insecurity, or political turmoil.
Although the 1999 Nigerian Constitution does not categorically state the meaning of a state of emergency, Section 305 provides for the procedure for the declaration of such.
Specifically, Section 305 (3) (a) to (g) of the 1999 Constitution says the President shall have the power to proclaim a state of emergency only when: the federation is at war; the federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war, or there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security.
Other conditions are: If there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger; (e) there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the federation; (f) there is any other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the federation; and if the president receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.
Recall that on March 18, 2025, the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State over alleged political crisis and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
However, contrary to the X post, this is not the first time Nigeria has declared a state of emergency in states facing crises.
Checks by The FactCheckHub show that former President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on May 14, 2013, in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States in response to the Boko Haram’s insurgency. These states remained under emergency rule for over a year as the military battled to reclaim territories seized by the militants. The then President Jonathan did not however suspended the governors of those three states during the crisis.
ALSO READ: Nigerian dailies share false claim on rescue of Zamfara schoolgirls
Also recalled that Jonathan had earlier declared a partial state of emergency in parts of Borno and Yobe States on December 31, 2011, due to escalating Boko Haram attacks.
While Zamfara and Benue have experienced high levels of violence due to banditry and herder-farmer conflicts respectively, no formal state of emergency has been declared in either of the two states by the Nigerian government.
It will be recalled that during crisis situations in both Zamfara and Benue States, state governments have imposed curfews multiple times in parts of the states and sometimes statewide to protect lives and properties in their respective domains. None has attracted state of emergency proclamation by the federal government.
THE VERDICT
The claim that a state of emergency was never declared in Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, or Benue is HALF-TRUE; a state of emergency has been declared in Borno and Yobe States in the past, contrary to the user’s claim, but there has been no such proclamation in Zamfara and Benue States respectively.
False claim circulates that Opay is the 6th largest bank in Nigeria
A claim that Opay is the sixth largest bank in Nigeria has circulated on X.
An X user, @puremind__, said that Opay comes behind First Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Access Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc.
He posted the claim on March 14, 2025 with a caption thus:
“Some of you don’t understand that Opay is the 6th Largest Bank in Nigeria after the FUGAZ that’s why you always open your mouth to yarn rubbish.
“What does your regular Bank have over them?”
READ THIS: No! Opay is not exiting Nigeria
The post has generated more than 650,000 views with over 1,000 reposts and more than 9,000 likes as of March 19, 2025.
CLAIM
Opay is the 6th largest bank in Nigeria.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
Banks are licensed financial institutions that receive deposits and provide credit to customers. They are the bedrock of every economy and are of the utmost importance as their operations help stabilise countries and ensure a robust financial system.
Opay is a one-stop financial service platform for payments, transfers, savings, loans and other essential services for users and also provides POS service for agents and acquiring service for merchants.
ALSO READ: CBN did not ban Opay, Palmpay, others
Established in 2018 with a license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) with the same insurance coverage as other commercial banks, Opay reportedly has millions of users, agents and merchants in Nigeria currently.
The FactCheckHub reviewed the various rankings of the largest banks in Nigeria and we couldn’t find any that placed Opay as among the top 10 largest banks in Nigeria.
For instance, Nairametrics ranked the largest banks in Nigeria based on their total assets and number of branches in 2023. According to the ranking, GTB is the sixth largest bank in Nigeria with a total asset of N8.79 trillion and 237 bank branches and 33 eBranches after EcoBank, First Bank, Zenith, UBA, and Access Bank which ranked first on the list.
Others in the top 10 were Fidelity, Stanbic IBTC, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Union Bank respectively.
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The FactCheckHub also reviewed the latest ranking of the top 100 banks in Africa. The top 10 in Nigeria among them are FBN Holdings (First Bank), Access Bank, Zenith Bank, UBA, GTB, Ecobank, Union Bank, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC, and Fidelity Bank. Opay is not on the list at all.
Another report by Proshare in December 2024 shows that EcoBank, Access Holdings, UBA, Zenith, FBN Holdings, GTB, Fidelity, Stanbic IBTC, First City Monument Bank, and Union Bank are the top 10 largest banks in Nigeria by their assets size.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Opay is the 6th largest bank in Nigeria is FALSE, as publicly available records show that the bank is not among the top 10 largest banks in the country.
