CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE— In a major increase to Nigeria’s technological education landscape, the leading Financial Innovation (Fintech) company, OPay, has revealed plans to establish a specialized cybersecurity laboratory at the University of Calabar (UniCal).
The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, throughout a high-level strategic go to by the OPay delegation to the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Teacher Offiong Offiong.
The project, which is set to be implemented by Hunter Flex Intercoms Building and construction Business, represents a significant expansion of the partnership between the Fintech giant and the university, which initially began in 2023.
Bridging the International Cyber-Skills Space
The proposed lab is designed to function as a state-of-the-art incubator for digital security, providing trainees with the tools and environment required to master ethical hacking, data security, and digital forensics.
Speaking throughout the go to, the leader of the OPay delegation, Itoro Udo, stressed that the firm is committed to providing “tangible and impactful tasks” that move beyond theoretical learning.
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The effort comes at a time when the international need for cybersecurity experts is at an all-time high, particularly within Africa’s quickly broadening digital economy.
Core Goals of the Cybersecurity Laboratory:
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Technical Efficiency: Hands-on training in recognizing and mitigating systemic digital hazards.
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Market Readiness: Aligning student tasks with the real-world security needs of the Fintech sector.
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Infrastructure Assistance: Reinforcing UniCal’s internal technological framework and research study capability.
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Development Hub: Supplying a space for trainees to develop proprietary security procedures for Nigerian platforms.
Strategic Support for NUGA 2026
Beyond technological investment, OPay also revealed its commitment to supporting the University of Calabar in hosting the 2026 Nigeria University Games (NUGA), arranged for August. This dual-pronged assistance highlights the firm’s method of buying both the intellectual and physical development of Nigerian youths.
Teacher Offiong, the Vice-Chancellor, commended OPay for the prompt intervention, noting that the lab would position UniCal students ahead of their peers in the competitive digital development space. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supplying all required logistical assistance to ensure the project’s successful delivery.
Sustaining Technological Gains
The Vice-Chancellor further exposed that the university is institutionalizing crucial sporting and technological facilities to ensure that the gains from the 2026 games and the brand-new OPay lab are sustained for future generations.
The lab is anticipated to be a cornerstone of the university’s Faculty of Physical Sciences, functioning as a regional center for cybersecurity excellence in the South-South geopolitical zone.
The presence of the construction firm throughout the go to indicates an immediate start of the structural and technical installation phases.