Following the announcement of a temporary shut down of ride-hailing services, ORide, OCar and logistics service, OExpress, many Nigerians have taken to micro-blogging site, Twitter to express their opinions about the new development.
On Wednesday afternoon, Chinese-owned African fintech startup, Opay announced that it would be shutting down the business units temporarily to focus only on its financial technology arm.
Read Also: OPay Shuts Down ORide, OCar, OExpress
According to a press release from the company, the primary reasons for the decision is the COVID-19 pandemic and Lagos State Government ban on commercial motorcycles across much of the state’s metropolitan area.
OPay became a household name in Nigeria last year, gaining massive visibility especially through its ride hailing services, ORide and OCar.
However, the news about the shut down of these business units has since sparked reactions from many Nigerians on Twitter.
Some blamed the company itself for mismanagement while others faulted the government for failure to provide conducive environment for business growth.
See some reactions below;
This Opay ish is one of the reasons why so many youths have thrown their ideas of starting a business away.
So many promising brands and organizations being ruined by the nation, so many talents and ideas dead 💔
— Bayo (@mr_adebayo5) July 2, 2020
Omo, Nigeria ruined OPay.
Despite the amount of money and energy these guys invested into their business, how can the government be so wicked and inconsiderate?
— Rinu The Chemist🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) July 2, 2020
Opay shut down its businesses in Nigera to joined the likes of Dunlop and co. Even if we find solution to our power problem, Companies will be afraid to come to Nigeria 💔💔
— Omo kiikan 💙 (@OmoKiikan) July 2, 2020
They said Opay is shutting down Omall, Oride, Ofood and all the others and Nigerians are replying with O’daabo, Otitan, Obad-gaan 😩😭🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
Where’s this sense of humor from pleaseeeee?
— Jemima (@JemimaOsunde) July 2, 2020
Nigerians in the comment section after Opay announced it’s shutting down some services: pic.twitter.com/sCZe7JEEo4
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 2, 2020
I think Nigerian slogan should be changed to “KILL THE DREAM” this story of Opay is really sad.
Ok let’s do a quick maths now,the govt stop Opay did not create jobs.
Opay workers retire home with hungry families,the kids unable to go to school and start hawking or anything.
— BENUEGIANT🦍 (@one_dosh) July 2, 2020
The collapse of @OPay_NG in Nigeria, is a sad reminder that ever since this administration came to power, it is impossible to sustain a thriving business.
Under this administration, dreams die.
Our economy is a failing one. Opay is amongst the many crumbling businesses.
— Savn Daniel (@savndaniel) July 2, 2020
Yes Opay suspended some of their services but the good news is, Opay mobile money is still functioning and i feel excited about that.
I mean why should I go and sit down under a bank canopy or queue at the ATM when I can easily withdraw funds in my neighborhood using Opay POS?
— Biyi The Plug 🔌 (@BiyiThePlug) July 2, 2020
Buhari has happened to Opay ☠️
Instead of Nigerian youths to be alarmed, they’re busy making bland jokes on @OPay_NG‘s comment section.The govt won’t provide jobs, they won’t also allow other people’s businesses to thrive. Is this witchcraft? What kinda incompetence is this? pic.twitter.com/ah3Felh4dV
— Mazi @FestusGreen (@FestusGreen) July 2, 2020
Opay might not have had a good market penetration strategy in terms of cheap pricing. But I think their ultimate aim was to use their first set of services, ride hailing, food, digital news hub etc to gather enough data for their e payment service.
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) July 2, 2020
They are mocking OPay “Opay to Opari”
You 9 to 5ers are mocking it too abi? You dey laugh them ba? Continue! That company wey you dey work, remember say E fit pari too if “government” happen. Businesses are folding up, Youth are laughing . It is well o
— i Develop Websites™ (@iamAbiodunAA) July 2, 2020
It’s one thing to have a business idea, it’s another thing to have a responsible government that creates an enabling environment, what happened to Opay has happened to many businesses, and will still happen to some. Y’all will agree with me that surviving as a youth in Nigeria https://t.co/YjPcQde8QD
— Akeula Trendy™ (@akeula_trendy) July 2, 2020
Opay, arguably biz every Nigerian youth will yearn to own. Well planned business model with adequate funding & workforce, but somehow couldn’t thrive… Makes you wonder if this country really encourages large entrepreneurship & SMEs.
Opay was nice to blame it on the pandemic.
— Series Abíọ́dún ♠ (@Engr_Series) July 2, 2020
Since the government imposed ban on motorcycle hailing in Lagos, OPay has recorded a 163% growth in POS Transaction value from Jan to April.
Talk about “Work hard in silence and let your success do the talking” 💪🏾💪🏾
— Adewale Presh ❼ (@sarcasm_presh) July 2, 2020
OPay isn’t shouting down, They’re only suspending some of their services like ride hailing.
And why shouldn’t they? They have noticed a 44% growth of offline and online transaction value from January to April even in the midst of the pandemic and lockdown pic.twitter.com/HqIAofxvmU
— Dr PamPam | Omo Iya Ologi (@UnclePamilerin) July 2, 2020
The owners and staff of Opay are definitely not happy about the business folding, but here you are, laughing and making jokes about it. Just pray motor does not jam your egungun so you never get to experience this someday.
— Richard (@meettherichard) July 2, 2020
