A viral claim that Opay has reportedly announced its decision to exit Nigeria has been circulating on WhatsApp.
The claim was contained in a WhatsApp broadcast message alongside a link to a website where the claim was likely lifted from.
The WhatsApp message read:
Breaking News: Opay Reportedly Announces Leaving Nigeria Market Space, Urges Customers to Withdraw All Funds Within One Month of Notice
In a surprising turn of events, popular mobile payment platform Opay has allegedly announced its decision to exit the Nigerian market space.
Opay has urged its customers to withdraw all funds from their accounts within a one-month period.
Full Details Here 👇👇
This WhatsApp broadcast has been shared in multiple WhatsApp groups as of May 19, 2024.
Established in 2018, Opay is a mobile money platform and financial technology company in Nigeria licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It offers a one-stop financial service platform for payments, transfers, savings, loans and other essential services for users in the country.
CLAIM
Opay announced plans to exit Nigeria.
THE FINDINGS
Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!
When our fact-checker contacted the company via its official X handle, the company debunked the claim, saying it is false.
“Please be informed that we wish to address recent misinformation and unfounded claims from unreliable sources circulating on WhatsApp and some microblogging platforms regarding OPay discontinuing operations it Nigeria. We wish to state that these claims are entirely false and lack merit,” Pamela, a social media handler with the company responded to our inquiry.
Further checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim has been previously debunked on Opay’s social media handle including X and Instagram.
Also, no reputable media reported the news.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Opay announced plans to exit Nigeria is FALSE; the claim has been debunked by the company.
Amala is a tactical Fact-Checker, who is passionate about using Fact-checking to curb the spread of Misinformation and Disinformation which has become prevalent in the media space. She can be reached on X at muonweblessing and LinkedIn on Amala Blessing Muonwe
