OPay, one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies, has denied reports that its offices in Lagos and Abuja were sealed by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) over tax disputes, calling the allegations “false and misleading.”
The rumours, which spread widely on social media and online news platforms, claimed the company’s operations were shut down for non-compliance with Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax (CIT) under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. In a formal statement, OPay confirmed all its offices, including those in Lagos and Abuja, remain open and fully operational without service disruption to customers or merchants.
The company clarified that the notice cited in the reports stemmed from an industry-wide directive by the NRS. This directive requires all payment platforms to separately display certain statutory charges within their applications to improve reconciliation and transparency. OPay emphasised that this administrative notice applies to multiple operators across Nigeria’s payment sector and is not specific to its operations.
“The suggestion that the notice indicates non-payment of taxes is factually incorrect and misleading,” the statement read. OPay further criticised what it described as the “selective and deliberate singling out” of the company in a matter affecting the entire industry, suggesting the coverage was “calculated to undermine the reputation” of a firm it says maintains strong compliance and cooperation with regulators.
The fintech firm reiterated its commitment to full compliance with all tax obligations and regulatory requirements, stating it works transparently with government agencies to meet statutory standards. It urged the public to disregard claims of shutdowns or office closures, affirming its continued dedication to providing secure and inclusive financial services in support of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The incident highlights the sensitivity around tax compliance within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding fintech space and the speed at which unverified information can circulate online. OPay’s direct rebuttal aims to reassure users and partners while framing the issue as one of misinterpreted industry regulation rather than any individual corporate failure.
