Digital payment company OPay has denied reports circulating online that its offices in Lagos and Abuja were sealed by the Nigeria Revenue Service over alleged tax violations, describing the claims as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement released by its management, the fintech firm said its offices across Nigeria remain open and fully operational. The company also assured customers, merchants and business partners that its services continue without disruption.
The clarification follows reports on social media and some online platforms claiming that the company’s premises had been shut by the tax authority for failing to comply with certain tax provisions.
According to the reports, the action was linked to alleged non-compliance with Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax requirements under the recently introduced Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
However, OPay strongly rejected the claim and insisted that it remains fully compliant with its tax obligations and regulatory requirements in Nigeria.
“The reports suggesting that our offices were sealed are false,” the company said in its statement. “Our offices remain open, and we continue to serve our customers across the country.”
The company added that it maintains regular and transparent communication with relevant government agencies, including tax authorities and financial regulators.
OPay explained that the notice referenced in the reports is related to a broader directive issued recently by the Nigeria Revenue Service to payment service providers in the country.
According to the company, the directive requires payment platforms to clearly separate certain statutory charges on their applications. The aim is to improve financial reconciliation, transparency and accountability in the rapidly growing digital payment sector.
The company said the directive is industry-wide and affects several operators in the financial technology sector, not just OPay.
“The suggestion that the notice indicates non-payment of taxes is factually incorrect and misleading,” the company said.
It also expressed concern about what it described as the selective focus on the company in reports about the directive. According to the statement, multiple fintech operators received similar instructions from the tax authority.
OPay urged the public and its customers to disregard claims that it is shutting down or that its offices have been sealed.
“We remain committed to operating responsibly in Nigeria and complying with all regulatory and tax obligations,” the company added.
The clarification comes at a time when Nigeria’s financial technology sector is expanding rapidly, with millions of people relying on mobile platforms for everyday financial transactions such as transfers, bill payments and merchant payments.
Founded as a mobile payment platform, OPay has grown to become one of the major digital financial service providers in the country. Its services allow users to transfer money, pay bills, buy airtime and make other financial transactions using a mobile application.
Over the past few years, the company has expanded its presence in Nigeria through a network of agents and merchants, especially in urban centres such as Lagos and Abuja.
The rise of fintech platforms like OPay has played an important role in improving financial inclusion in Nigeria, where many people previously had limited access to traditional banking services.
According to industry analysts, digital payment companies have helped millions of Nigerians carry out transactions more easily using smartphones and agent networks in local communities.
However, the growth of the sector has also drawn increased attention from regulators and tax authorities who are seeking to strengthen oversight and ensure proper tax compliance across the industry.
The introduction of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 is part of broader government efforts to improve tax administration and revenue collection while promoting transparency in business operations.
Regulators have also been working to ensure that digital financial service providers clearly display statutory charges such as VAT and other applicable fees in their applications.
Despite the recent rumours, OPay said its operations remain stable and that customers can continue to use its platform without concern.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy by providing secure, reliable and inclusive financial services to millions of users nationwide.
“As a responsible corporate organisation, we will continue to work closely with regulators and stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s financial ecosystem,” the company said.
The firm also encouraged the public to rely on verified information from official channels and credible news sources rather than unverified reports circulating online.
With Nigeria’s digital finance industry expected to keep growing in the coming years, companies like OPay say they remain focused on expanding services while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
