A Nigerian prophet has ignited debate online after publicly prophesying that the popular digital payment platform OPay will shut down between December 2025 and January 2026.
The prophet, whose message was delivered to his congregation and later went viral on social media, also claimed, without evidence, that the fintech company is a “money ritual platform”, urging users to withdraw their funds immediately.
OPay is one of Nigeria’s leading and fastest-growing digital payment platforms, operating in the country’s highly competitive fintech sector. The company is owned by the Chinese billionaire Zhou Yahui, the chairman of Opera Software, its parent company. OPay’s rapid expansion and reliance on mobile and agent banking have made it an integral part of the financial lives of millions of Nigerians.
The prophet’s unverified claim that OPay is a “money ritual platform” and his prediction of its imminent collapse have generated massive online discussion and alarm due to the deep religious sensibilities of the Nigerian public.
Some users expressed concern and called for an official response from OPay to prevent panic withdrawals, while others condemned the prophet, accusing him of spreading “false prophecies” and calling for regulatory or legal action.
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