OPay has rolled out a ₦9,999 quick-transfer option, a move many customers see as a way to sidestep the ₦50 stamp duty applied to electronic transfers of ₦10,000 and above.
Nigeria’s stamp duty policy places a flat ₦50 charge on electronic transfers that reach or exceed ₦10,000.
As conversations around tax reforms and transaction expenses continue, users have grown more conscious of fees on routine transfers, particularly those for family support, bill payments, and small business transactions.
In response, OPay discreetly introduced a ₦9,999 preset button alongside its existing ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 options.
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This addition lets users send amounts just under the taxable limit with one tap, simplifying a workaround that many already use. The feature also fits into OPay’s commitment to zero transfer fees on transactions up to ₦5 million.
The update has attracted positive reactions across social media, with users calling it thoughtful and uniquely tailored to local needs.
Remarks like “OPay dey think like Nigerians” and “OPay is tooo activvvv” reflect how closely the feature matches everyday banking habits.
For people who make frequent transfers, especially for regular payments, the ₦9,999 transfer option provides a modest yet useful way to limit cumulative charges.
Although some users have raised questions about how regulators may interpret the feature, the ₦9,999 option does not breach any current rules. Stamp duty is only charged on transfers of ₦10,000 or more, while amounts below that threshold are exempt. By enabling users to choose a non-chargeable amount, OPay is operating within the law rather than bypassing it.
The change highlights a wider pattern in Nigeria’s fintech sector, where platforms build features that reflect user behaviour while staying within regulatory boundaries. Instead of removing stamp duty, the ₦9,999 transfer button simply makes it easier for users to pick amounts that are exempt from the fee.
For millions of Nigerians who regularly make small transfers for family assistance, bills, and daily expenses, the feature presents a practical way to control transaction costs without violating any regulations.