Sterling Bank has announced a N2bn scholarship for 600 young Nigerians in private universities.
The scholarship was unveiled on Democracy Day (Thursday) and titled ‘Beyond Education’.
According to a statement from the lender, the initiative is a decisive step towards building the country’s future leaders by dismantling the barriers that keep millions of Nigerians from accessing quality, future-focused learning.
Highlighting that it was the largest private sector investment ever made in a single Nigerian tertiary institution, the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said, “Progress is not a spectator sport. While others talk about Nigeria’s potential, we are actively investing in it. These scholarships are direct investments in the architects of our future. We are funding the education of future leaders who will build the companies, systems, institutions and solutions Nigeria needs to thrive.”
The programme also reflects Sterling’s advocacy for organisations to shift from short-term philanthropy to long-term ecosystem development.
“We’re moving beyond charity. This is about building systems that last, and it is much bigger than hundreds of scholarships. It’s about the future those brilliant young minds will build for our country,” Suleiman said.
The Sterling Beyond Education programme will fully sponsor 600 students to study high-impact fields such as technology, finance, sales, and public health. It is open to young Nigerians from all 36 states and the FCT, with a merit-based and inclusive admissions process.
Candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated by others, and the final selection will be determined through a public voting process open exclusively to Sterling account holders.
“This is what inclusive investment looks like,” said Growth Executive leading the Retail & Consumer Banking Directorate at Sterling Bank, Obinna Ukachukwu. “This initiative goes beyond access to education; it’s access to a future. Education remains the most valuable asset anyone can have, and we’re proud to stand behind young Nigerians as they claim it.”
The pilot programme is in partnership with Miva University, founded by tech entrepreneur Sim Shagaya. Miva University is accredited by the National Universities Commission.