Sterling Bank has unveiled the first 99 beneficiaries of its ₦2 billion Beyond Education Scholarship Fund, marking a major private-sector investment in Nigerian higher education.
The announcement was made during the Sterling Leadership Series (SLS) held at the Alliance Française de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre. Launched earlier this year, the fund will provide full tuition scholarships to qualified Nigerians and is anchored on the bank’s HEART strategy—focusing on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation.
Sterling Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Temitayo Adegoke, described the unveiling as “a clarion call for a new era,” emphasizing education as a tool for national transformation. “We have invested, and will continue to invest, in programmes that extend access to quality education and create pathways for real-world opportunities,” he said.
The event drew leaders from education, entrepreneurship, and policy, including uLesson and Miva University founder Sim Shagaya; Nigerian Universities Commission deputy director Dr. Ayoteju Ogun; and Sterling Bank’s Chief Entrepreneur, David Adebayo. Discussions centered on moving beyond traditional education models to embrace creativity, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, reinforced the bank’s vision: “Our young people have the talent, the curiosity, and the courage. What they need are the right opportunities, and we are creating the platforms, the tools, and the pathways to unlock Nigeria’s greatest dividend: its people.”
The unveiling of the first set of scholars was celebrated as both an academic milestone and a reflection of Sterling Bank’s commitment to shaping the nation’s future.
The SLS, a quarterly interactive forum, serves as a platform for leaders across industries to share ideas and drive transformative conversations with measurable impact.
