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| Photo credit — OPAY |
A recent social media post claimed that OPay had stopped using customers’ phone numbers as account numbers and was now issuing standard bank-style numbers. The post urged people still using their phone numbers to visit an OPay agent for an update. The claim spread quickly and caused confusion among users of the popular Nigerian fintech platform.
OPay has stated that the claim is inaccurate. An official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that no such system-wide change has been made. The company said any significant updates to how accounts work would be communicated through its official channels, not through unverified social media posts. Comments under the original post already included corrections from other users pointing out the error.
How OPay Account Numbers Normally Work
For regular personal accounts, OPay has long used a customer’s registered phone number (specifically the last 10 digits in many cases) as the wallet account number. This design makes transfers straightforward for many Nigerians. Changing a registered phone number typically requires a formal process involving identity verification and, in some situations, supporting documents such as a police report if the old number is no longer accessible. There is no indication of a broad shift away from this model for everyday users.
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Likely Source of the Confusion: My BizPayment
According to the clarification, the viral claim may stem from a misunderstanding of OPay’s My BizPayment feature. This existing tool allows eligible users to generate a separate merchant or business account number for business-related transactions.
It is accessed via the “Me” section of the OPay app after providing business details (nature of the business, operating model, etc.).
This merchant number sits alongside the user’s existing phone-number-based account. It does not replace or discontinue the standard personal account number. Treating the business feature as a company-wide policy change appears to be the root of the misinformation.
Context: Recent Rumors and Official Responses
This is not the first time unverified claims about OPay have circulated. Weeks earlier, a fabricated notice claimed the company would suspend operations from 1 September 2026. OPay publicly dismissed that report as false, malicious, and misleading, stressed that services remain fully operational, and urged customers to rely only on verified channels. Customer funds and services continued without interruption.
OPay has repeatedly emphasized that major announcements appear on its official website, verified social media accounts, app notifications, or direct customer communications. Spreading or acting on unverified posts can create unnecessary panic and, in some cases, has prompted the company to request removal of misleading content.
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Practical Advice for OPay Users
• Continue using your existing phone-number-linked account number for personal transfers and payments unless you receive official notification otherwise.
• If you run a business and want a dedicated merchant number, explore My BizPayment inside the app and follow the on-screen steps.
• Verify any major claim by checking OPay’s official channels (verified social accounts, the app, or customer support lines listed on the official site) before visiting agents or making changes.
• Be cautious with social media posts that urge urgent action or claim sudden policy shifts without official confirmation.
• For account issues (lost phone number, security concerns, etc.), use official support rather than relying on viral advice.
Misinformation about financial services can spread rapidly because people care deeply about access to their money. Platforms like OPay that serve millions of users become frequent targets for rumors. The safest approach is always to treat social media claims as unverified until confirmed through primary sources.
OPay continues to operate with phone numbers serving as account identifiers for regular customers, alongside optional business features. Users who stay informed through official channels can avoid unnecessary worry and keep using the service as normal.
(This article is for informational purposes. Always confirm details directly with OPay for your specific account.)
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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