Panic as Viral Shutdown Rumour Triggers OPay Withdrawals

A wave of anxiety swept through some OPay customers on Monday following the circulation of a viral social media message claiming that the mobile money operator would cease operations from Sept. 1, prompting many users to move their funds to alternative accounts.

The rumour, which spread rapidly across social media platforms and messaging groups, sparked concerns among customers who feared losing access to their money. While the company has since denied the claim, the false report was enough to trigger precautionary withdrawals among some account holders.

Several customers who spoke in Abuja said the message created uncertainty and led them to take immediate steps to safeguard their funds pending official clarification.

One of the affected customers, Mr. Ifeanyi Udodi, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator and regular OPay user, said he acted swiftly after hearing about the alleged shutdown from a fellow operator.

According to him, the report appeared credible at first, forcing him to transfer part of his funds to another bank account as a precautionary measure.

Although OPay later dismissed the claim, Udodi said he would remain cautious and observe developments before returning the transferred funds to his account.

Another customer, Ms. Halimatu Idris, a student, said she sought direct confirmation from a member of OPay staff after seeing the circulating message and was informed that the report was entirely false.

Despite the clarification, she urged the company to sustain its reputation for efficient service delivery while strengthening communication with customers.

Idris noted that greater interaction between customers and management would help reinforce public confidence and reduce the impact of misinformation.

“OPay is fast and reliable, but they should engage more with their customers, especially through direct interactions, to strengthen trust,” she said.

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Also reacting to the rumour, Mrs. Agnes Idu said no customer, regardless of the size of their savings, would welcome news suggesting a financial institution might be shutting down.

She described bank failures as traumatic experiences for customers and stressed the importance of timely and transparent communication whenever misleading information surfaces.

In response to the growing concerns, OPay moved quickly to reassure its customers, dismissing the viral message as false and misleading.

In a statement posted on its official X account, the company firmly denied any plans to suspend or discontinue operations, insisting that its services remain fully active.

“We are here, and we are going nowhere. True OPay users know how to identify our official communications,” the company stated.

OPay also urged customers to be vigilant when consuming information online, advising them to verify claims through official channels before sharing them with others.

The company further pointed out that the viral message contained several warning signs that should have raised doubts about its authenticity.

The incident highlights the growing influence of misinformation on digital financial services and the speed at which unverified reports can affect customer confidence, even when later proven false. For many users, the episode served as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before making financial decisions.