Sterling Bank has unveiled the first 99 beneficiaries of its N2bn Beyond Education Scholarship Fund at its recently held Sterling Leadership Series.
The SLS was held at the Alliance Française de Lagos / Mike Adenuga Centre, signalling the kick-off of the lender’s promise to invest in the next generation of Nigerians.
Launched earlier this year, the Beyond Education Scholarship Fund is set to provide full tuition scholarships to deserving Nigerians, marking one of the boldest private-sector commitments to higher education in the country’s history. It is anchored on Sterling’s HEART strategy (Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation).
Speaking at the event, Chief Operating Officer of Sterling Bank, Temitayo Adegoke, described the unveiling as a clarion call for a new era, saying, “At Sterling, we see education as the most powerful tool for transformation. We have invested, and will continue to invest, in programmes that extend access to quality education and create pathways for real-world opportunities.”
The event brought together leading voices across entrepreneurship, policy, and education, including the founder of uLesson and Miva University, Sim Shagaya; deputy director at the Nigerian Universities Commission, Dr Ayoteju Ogun; and Chief Entrepreneur at Sterling Bank, David Adebayo. Together, they challenged Africa to move beyond traditional education models and embrace creativity, adaptability, and lifelong learning as drivers of growth in the new economy.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, reinforced this vision, saying, “The Sterling Leadership Series was designed to set a standard. Tonight, that standard is clear. 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 99 scholars drew thunderous applause and was celebrated as both an academic milestone and a statement of values.
“With N2bn committed to opportunity, Sterling Bank is rewriting the script for how financial institutions shape a nation’s future, placing people at the centre and turning investment into lasting impact. Already, the Beyond Education Scholarship is sparking conversations nationwide, reminding Nigerians that the future is not inherited; it is built,” the bank asserted.
The SLS is a quarterly interactive forum established by Sterling Bank to connect leaders across industries, inspire bold ideas, and drive transformative conversations that deliver measurable impact.
