A viral message claiming that OPay would shut down its operations in Nigeria from September 1, 2026, has been confirmed to be false.
The rumour caused concern among OPay customers after a notice designed to look like an official company announcement circulated widely on social media. The message reportedly advised customers to withdraw their money because OPay would be going on an indefinite break.
However, OPay has said the information is false and reassured customers that its operations in Nigeria have not been suspended.
The matter has now taken a new turn after the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre arrested a woman identified as Hafsat Abubakar over the alleged creation and circulation of the fake shutdown notice.
Is OPay shutting down in Nigeria in September 2026?
No. OPay is not shutting down its operations in Nigeria in September 2026.
The claim that OPay would stop operating from September 1 was based on a fake notice that circulated online.
OPay reportedly moved to clarify the situation after the message began spreading, with the company dismissing the shutdown claim and reassuring customers that it was still operating.
This means OPay customers do not need to close their accounts or withdraw their funds because of the viral September shutdown message.
The company also reportedly asked law enforcement authorities to investigate the source of the false publication.
Woman arrested over fake OPay shutdown notice
The latest development is the arrest of 27-year-old Hafsat Abubakar, who police identified as the person allegedly responsible for creating and circulating the fake OPay shutdown notice.
Reports said Abubakar was arrested on September 4, 2026, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre.
The arrest followed a petition reportedly submitted by OPay Digital Services Limited after the false notice went viral.
According to police reports, the document was allegedly designed to look like an official OPay corporate announcement. It carried the company’s branding and contained a message suggesting that OPay would stop its operations in Nigeria.
Police said three mobile phones were recovered during the operation and that investigations were continuing into the circumstances surrounding the publication and whether other people were involved.
The arrest does not mean that Abubakar has been found guilty of a crime. She has been arrested in connection with the investigation, while the relevant authorities determine what happened.
What did Hafsat Abubakar say?
Following the arrest, Abubakar reportedly said she had deleted the post after OPay drew her attention to the fact that the information was false.
She also reportedly issued a public apology.
The development is important because the original message had already been widely shared before the correction was made, meaning many people may have seen the shutdown claim without seeing the later clarification.
For OPay customers, the important point is that the original claim about the company shutting down in September was false.
How the OPay shutdown rumour started
The false information spread through social media in the days leading up to September 1.
The message was particularly alarming because it was presented in the form of a corporate notice rather than an ordinary social media post.
It reportedly claimed that OPay would be going on an indefinite break and urged customers to withdraw their money.
Because OPay is widely used for transfers, payments, airtime, bills and other financial transactions, the message quickly attracted attention.
Some social media users began asking whether they should move their money out of OPay accounts.
That is how a false online publication can create unnecessary panic, especially when it involves a financial services company.
What OPay said about the shutdown claim
OPay dismissed the viral shutdown message as fake and reassured customers that it was continuing its operations.
The company also reportedly involved law enforcement after the false notice began circulating.
The police investigation has now led to the arrest of Hafsat Abubakar.
This gives customers a clear answer to the question that has been trending online:
OPay is not shutting down in Nigeria because of the September 2026 rumour.
Should OPay customers withdraw their money?
There is no reason for customers to withdraw their money simply because of the viral shutdown message.
Customers should be careful about acting on financial information shared through WhatsApp, Facebook, X, TikTok or other social media platforms without first confirming it.
A fake notice can look convincing, especially when it uses the name, logo and branding of a legitimate company.
Before moving money because of a message like this, check OPay’s official communication channels or reliable news sources.
Do not click on suspicious links sent alongside such messages, and do not give anyone your PIN, OTP, password or other account details.
What happened to the woman who shared the OPay shutdown notice?
Hafsat Abubakar was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre on September 4, 2026, following the complaint over the alleged fake OPay notice.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Abubakar has reportedly said that she deleted the post and apologised after learning from OPay that the information was false.
The police investigation is expected to establish how the document was produced, where it originated and whether other people were involved in spreading it.
Why the OPay shutdown story caused panic
The rumour spread at a time when many Nigerians depend on fintech platforms for everyday financial transactions.
An announcement that a major payment platform was about to stop operating could naturally cause customers to worry about their balances, transfers and access to their accounts.
That is why customers should be particularly careful with unverified financial claims online.
A message being widely shared does not make it genuine.
In this case, the viral OPay shutdown notice was presented as though it were an official announcement, but OPay rejected the claim.
What OPay customers should do now
If you use OPay, there is no need to panic over the September shutdown rumour.
You can continue to use your account normally, subject to the company’s regular service availability.
However, keep the following in mind:
- Do not believe social media posts claiming that OPay is shutting down without verification.
- Check OPay’s official communication channels before acting on major announcements.
- Do not share your PIN or OTP with anyone claiming to be an OPay representative.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links attached to viral shutdown messages.
- If you receive a message asking you to move your money to another account because OPay is closing, verify it first.
- Report suspicious messages instead of forwarding them to other customers.
OPay shutdown rumour: What you need to know
The viral claim that OPay would shut down in Nigeria from September 1, 2026, was false.
The latest development is that police arrested 27-year-old Hafsat Abubakar over the alleged creation and circulation of the fake notice.
Police said the arrest followed a petition from OPay Digital Services Limited, while investigations into the matter are continuing.
Abubakar has reportedly said she deleted the post and apologised after OPay informed her that the information was false.
For customers, the main takeaway is simple: there is no confirmed OPay shutdown in Nigeria based on the viral September 2026 claim.
Always verify financial information before taking action, especially when a message asks you to withdraw or transfer your money.
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