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Fintech giant warns of legal consequences as fabricated social media post claiming September 1 break triggers panic.
Leading Nigerian fintech company OPay Digital Services has vehemently denied a viral social media publication that falsely claimed the company would embark on a prolonged break starting September 1, 2026, urging customers to withdraw or move their funds.
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In a swift and firm response, the company described the post as “false, malicious and misleading,” reassuring its over 35 million users that its services remain fully available and that the fintech is “going nowhere.”
Company Dismisses Viral Post as ‘False, Malicious and Misleading’
The fabricated publication, which gained widespread traction across social media platforms on Sunday, purported to warn OPay customers of an impending operational shutdown for an extended period. However, OPay immediately took to its verified social media channels to debunk the claim.
In an official statement titled “This is FALSE,” the fintech declared: “OPay is not going on break by September. We’re here, and we’re going nowhere!”
The company further urged customers and the public to scrutinize the viral publication for inconsistencies and rely exclusively on its verified communication channels for authentic information.
“True OPay users know how to identify our official communications. Take a closer look at the viral post and you’ll spot the red flags,” the statement read, adding: “Always verify before you share. Filter the noise! Follow our official pages for authentic OPay updates.” The message was signed off with the hashtag #OPayIsOkay.
Executive Warns of Legal Consequences for Spreading Panic
Reacting to the development, Dr. Maxwell Loko, Vice-President of Public and Government Affairs at OPay Digital Services, reinforced the company’s position, describing the publication as a deliberate attempt to undermine customer confidence.
“This post is false, malicious and misleading. OPay is not shutting down, and customers should not be misled into withdrawing their funds based on fabricated information,” Loko stated.
He urged the public to disregard the post and depend exclusively on OPay’s verified platforms for official announcements.
In a stern warning, Loko added: “The deliberate spread of false information designed to cause panic or undermine confidence in a financial institution is a serious matter and may have legal consequences.” This signals that OPay may pursue legal action against those behind the disinformation campaign.
Growing Concern Over Fabricated Digital Content in Fintech Sector
The incident has reignited concerns over the rising use of fabricated digital content to damage the reputation of financial technology companies and potentially trigger unnecessary panic among customers.
While speculation has surfaced in some quarters that the publication could be linked to competitive interests seeking to undermine OPay’s growing market position, no evidence has been publicly established to substantiate such claims.
OPay has advised its customers to exercise caution and verify financial or operational announcements exclusively through its authenticated communication channels before acting on them.
Reassurance: OPay Remains Fully Operational
With this clarification, OPay effectively puts to rest the viral claim that it would cease or suspend operations from September 1, 2026. The company reaffirms that its services—including transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, and merchant solutions—remain available to customers without interruption.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, the incident serves as a reminder for consumers to rely on official sources and remain vigilant against misinformation that could destabilize the financial ecosystem.
