- Prophet Aliyu Barnabas of Mercy and Grace Deliverance Ministry in Benue State has gone viral after predicting that OPay, the popular mobile banking platform, will “collapse” between December 2025 and January 2026.
- In a viral video, he claimed the company operates as a ritual scheme and warned users that their funds might vanish.
- The prophecy sparked fear and debate online, with some Nigerians considering withdrawing their money, while others dismissed it as baseless.
A Nigerian prophet, Aliyu Barnabas of Mercy and Grace Deliverance Ministry in Ukum, Benue State, has sparked controversy after predicting the collapse of OPay, a popular mobile banking platform.
In a viral video, the cleric claimed that OPay operates as a ritual scheme and warned that users’ funds might disappear between December 2025 and January 2026.
The prophecy, which surfaced online on October 27, has caused panic among users, with some expressing fears about their deposits. The prophet alleged that customers would soon “wake up to find their money gone,” citing spiritual reasons for his claim.
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Following the video, reactions on social media have been mixed. Some Nigerians said they were considering withdrawing their funds, while others dismissed the message as a baseless attempt to cause fear.
One user commented, “Opay needs to come and address this ASAP. Nigerians are religious people and they take messages from the church and the mosque very seriously.”
Fintech experts have, however, criticized the prophecy, calling it misleading and harmful to Nigeria’s digital banking ecosystem.
Meanwhile, OPay which is regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria and insured by the NDIC up to ₦500,000 per user has not issued any public response.
Financial experts have urged users to remain calm and rely on verified information rather than online prophecies.
“Opay Bank is about to close. One day they will tell you that the bank is having technical issues, from there they will close operating. It’s going to happen between this December to January next year.
—Pastor says pic.twitter.com/MtndzZInVU
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) October 27, 2025
