By Epiphanus Obia
After 17 years at the helm of day-to-day operations, Paga founder Tayo Oviosu has transitioned to the role of Group Chief Executive Officer. This leadership shuffle marks a strategic pivot for the fintech pioneer as it decouples its Nigerian domestic business from its broader continental ambitions.
To fill the operational vacancy, Paga has appointed Ope Oyinloye as Group Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO of Paga Nigeria, pending regulatory approval. Oyinloye is a company veteran with over seven years of experience, having previously led the firm’s business operations.
This transition marks the first time in Paga’s history that anyone other than Oviosu will lead the core Nigerian market. Joining the shift to the group level is co-founder Jay Alabraba, who will now focus on special projects, including lending products and new market entries.
The restructuring is designed to free Oviosu from daily management so he can focus on high-level priorities, including scaling Paga’s model into new African markets, investing in blockchain and artificial intelligence and building on existing wins, such as the company’s international payment collaboration with PayPal.
“The decision to step away from day-to-day management has been in the works and was driven by the need to accelerate growth,” Oviosu said, describing the move as the start of a new phase centered on technology and expansion.
The leadership change comes at a time of record-breaking performance. In 2025, Paga processed approximately ₦17.1 trillion in transactions, nearly doubling its volume from the previous year.
While Paga remains a dominant force in Nigeria’s hyper-competitive payments landscape, analysts view this move as a natural evolution for a maturing fintech. By moving founders into strategic roles, the company mirrors a global trend where leadership shifts focus toward long-term capital raising and regional infrastructure.
Although Paga noted these changes are not tied to immediate fundraising, the company is expected to seek fresh capital to fuel its expansion beyond Nigeria’s borders. The coming months will serve as a litmus test for whether Paga can successfully replicate its domestic success to become a pan-African financial infrastructure provider.