Onome Amuge

For millions of Nigerians juggling multiple bills in a volatile economy, keeping the lights on, data active, and phones charged has become a monthly source of stress. But fintech company OnePipe believes it has found a solution.

In response to growing consumer frustration over missed and delayed bill payments, OnePipe has introduced a new automated scheduling feature within its PaywithAccount platform, a move that directly addresses the financial stress many households face in managing recurring obligations.

The launch comes amid sobering findings from financial inclusion advocacy group EFInA, which reported that nearly half of Nigerian adults missed at least one critical service or utility payment over the past year. Another survey by Nairametrics found that service disruptions , especially for electricity, mobile data, and airtime, were common due to forgotten or delayed payments.

“Managing monthly payments has become a significant source of stress for many Nigerians. This new scheduling feature is our direct response to that pain point. It allows consumers to automate their bills reliably and consistently,” said Akin Olunloye, product manager at PaywithAccount. 

The service enables users to set up recurring payments directly from their existing bank accounts through paywithaccount.com, eliminating the need for manual transactions or app logins for each bill. Currently, it supports major electricity distribution companies (Eko, Ikeja, Abuja, and Ibadan) and all major mobile operators (MTN, Airtel, Glo, and T2).

Additional payment categories such as insurance premiums and cooperative dues are expected to be added soon, expanding the solution’s reach into more aspects of household and business finance.

While automation is often discussed in technical terms, OnePipe’s latest move is squarely focused on consumer wellbeing; tackling the anxiety and time loss associated with manual payments.

Chinyere, a Lagos-based lawyer who tested the service before launch, noted that the relief has been immediate.

“Missing electricity payments has always been a hassle in my household. Automating with PaywithAccount has eliminated that completely. I get notifications and receipts instantly on WhatsApp — it’s made a big difference,” she said.

Similarly, Sodiq, a digital marketer managing multiple household and business payments, said the feature has simplified his financial routine.“I handle various payments every month. Automating them means I never worry about disruptions, even if I’m traveling or busy. It’s genuinely simplified how I manage money,” he added. 

These testimonials highlight the mental and emotional burden often overlooked in Nigeria’s ongoing digital payments evolution, including the everyday stress of remembering due dates and facing penalties or disconnections when things slip through the cracks.

By streamlining these processes, PayWithAccount is not only making payments easier, it’s seen  helping consumers develop healthier financial habits and maintain uninterrupted access to essential services.

OnePipe’s approach reflects a broader shift within Nigeria’s fintech landscape, involving moving from financial access to financial ease. While the first wave of fintech innovation focused on inclusion and transaction speed, the next wave is about convenience, consistency, and emotional relief.

The company’s strategy also positions it to strengthen user loyalty in a crowded payments market. By integrating automation into existing bank accounts rather than creating a new wallet system, OnePipe ensures a smoother experience that fits naturally into users’ daily routines.

“Automation represents the next phase of fintech innovation in Nigeria. Consumers are not just looking for faster payments — they want reliability and freedom from constant reminders,” Olunloye explained. 

As economic uncertainty persists and household budgets tighten, the stress of managing multiple payments is unlikely to fade soon. But fintech-driven automation could offer a practical form of relief by freeing up both time and mental bandwidth.

OnePipe considers its latest  innovation as more than a product update, but also a signal of intent to position fintech as a tool for everyday resilience, not just financial transactions.