Sterling Bank has launched a bold N2 billion scholarship initiative to empower 600 young Nigerians.
Unveiled on Democracy Day, the program targets vital sectors and seeks to equip youth with tools for long-term national impact.
In a bold move to shape the future of Nigeria, Sterling Bank has launched a groundbreaking scholarship initiative worth over N2 billion, targeting young Nigerians across the country. The program, unveiled on Democracy Day, is titled Beyond Education and is designed to provide fully funded scholarships for private university education, especially in high-impact fields crucial to Nigeria’s development.
Described as one of the largest private sector investments in Nigerian tertiary education, the scholarship scheme reaffirms Sterling Bank’s commitment to building long-term, sustainable systems that foster national development. The initiative forms part of the bank’s wider investment strategy under its HEART framework, an acronym representing the Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation sectors in which the bank has already deployed more than N500 billion in funding and development efforts.
Sterling Bank’s Chief Executive, Abubakar Suleiman, described the initiative as more than just a corporate gesture. “Progress is not a spectator sport. While others speculate about Nigeria’s potential, we are investing in it directly. These scholarships represent our belief in the brilliance of young Nigerians and our desire to equip them with the education and tools needed to shape a better future,” he stated.
The Beyond Education program will cover full tuition for 600 students pursuing degrees in disciplines like technology, finance, sales, and public health sectors seen as central to the country’s digital and economic advancement. The program is inclusive and open to applicants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a transparent and merit-based selection process.
Applicants can either apply themselves or be nominated by others, and the final selection will be determined through a public voting system limited to Sterling Bank account holders. This participatory approach not only boosts community engagement but also reinforces accountability in the selection process.
Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive for Sterling’s Retail & Consumer Banking Directorate, emphasized the initiative’s broader impact: “This is more than providing education; it’s about creating access to opportunity. Education remains one of the most powerful assets anyone can possess, and we’re here to make sure deserving young Nigerians are not denied that chance.”
The pilot phase of this scholarship initiative is being run in partnership with Miva University, a forward-thinking private institution founded by prominent tech entrepreneur Sim Shagaya. Miva, accredited by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC), is known for delivering flexible, affordable, and digitally-driven academic programs tailored to meet the demands of today’s evolving job market.
Sterling Bank’s move has also reignited conversation about corporate responsibility in Nigeria. Rather than engaging in short-term charitable gestures, the bank advocates for more systemic and long-term solutions that create a lasting impact. Its Beyond Education program is a reflection of that philosophy, shifting the focus from conventional donations to building a resilient and inclusive educational ecosystem.
“This initiative is not just about the hundreds of scholarships we’re offering today,” Mr. Suleiman added. “It’s about creating the conditions necessary for young Nigerians to thrive and, in turn, build the institutions, businesses, and innovations that will define Nigeria’s future.”
The nomination process is currently live at www.sterling.ng/FUTURE, where eligible Nigerians can take the first step toward securing one of these transformative scholarships.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with a youthful population in need of education and employment opportunities, Sterling Bank’s Beyond Education initiative could very well become a model for how private institutions can lead with purpose, where success is measured not only in profits but in lives transformed and futures built.
