A Nigerian man has narrated how he returned the sum of ₦2.26m mistakenly transferred into his Opay account, declining a ₦50,000 token offered in appreciation.
The man said the incident occurred shortly after he received a notification of the unexpected credit alert while using his phone.
According to him, he initially double-checked the alert to confirm the amount, noting that he anticipated the rightful owner would reach out.
He explained that moments later, he received a phone call from a visibly distressed individual who struggled to explain the error.
The caller, he said, was confused and stammering, prompting him to reassure the man and request a calm explanation.
“I had to laugh and told him to relax. I assured him I had seen the money and would return it immediately,” he recounted.
He added that he subsequently transferred the full amount back to the sender and shared proof of the transaction.
The man disclosed that shortly after refunding the money, he received another alert of ₦50,000 from the same individual as a gesture of gratitude.
However, he said he promptly returned the ₦50,000, insisting that he could not accept payment for an act he considered a moral obligation.
“The amount is a significant part of my monthly earnings, but I believe I should not be rewarded for doing what is right,” he stated.
He noted that the sender later called to express profound gratitude, describing the act as a great relief.
Reflecting on the incident, the man raised concerns about the risks associated with transferring large sums through fintech platforms.
He questioned why such a substantial amount was sent via a fintech account, warning of potential complications such as account restrictions.
The man also highlighted possible scenarios where such errors could lead to fraud or difficulties in tracing funds.
Despite the circumstances, he said the experience fostered a new friendship between him and the sender, suggesting it could lead to mutual benefits in the future.
The story has since sparked conversations about honesty, financial responsibility and the growing use of digital payment platforms in Nigeria.
