Almond Corporation, a Nigerian fintech building credit infrastructure through open banking, is expanding its education-focused banking platform, Tuition Point, to private universities, deepening its presence in one of the country’s most cash-intensive sectors.

The company launched Tuition Point through Almond Nigeria in early 2024, initially targeting primary and secondary schools. The platform allows educational institutions to process tuition payments and access structured credit products linked to predictable fee inflows—addressing long-standing liquidity and financing challenges within the sector.

Founded by Ekok Okpokam and Hilary Ogbodo, former university classmates, Almond Corporation positions education as a foundational layer for broader credit reform. The decision to move into tertiary education follows early adoption by lower-tier institutions and growing demand from universities seeking more formalized financial tools.

Tuition Point operates as an enterprise banking layer connected to Almond’s consumer banking application, enabling schools to integrate payments, credit, and financial reporting within a single system. By extending the platform to private universities, Almond aims to standardize financial operations across institutions that have historically relied on fragmented payment processes.

The company is led by Okpokam, who developed the idea for Almond Corporation while working in the United States. During that period, he observed the stark contrast between the U.S. and Nigerian financial systems. In the U.S., opening a bank account typically provides access to multiple credit facilities and structured financing options. In Nigeria, by contrast, credit remains scarce and fragmented, often available only at high interest rates due to elevated risk and limited data—gaps Almond is attempting to address through institutional infrastructure.

Nigeria’s education sector, supported by recurring tuition flows and large enrollment volumes, has become an emerging target for fintechs seeking stable institutional credit models. Almond’s approach treats schools as credit anchors rather than end borrowers, reflecting a shift toward infrastructure-led financial innovation.

As Nigeria’s fintech landscape matures, Almond Corporation’s expansion into university banking underscores a growing belief that sustainable credit systems will be built through institutions, not consumers.