Sterling Bank has announced an over N2 billion commitment for private university scholarships for young Nigerians.
Unveiled on Democracy Day, the initiative: Beyond Education, represents a step towards building future leaders by dismantling barriers that keep millions from accessing quality, focused learning.
This is one large private sector investments ever in a single tertiary institution. It extends Sterling’s commitment to the HEART sectors: Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation.
The bank has deployed over half a trillion naira in financing and development programmes in these critical areas.
“Progress is not a spectator sport,” said Abubakar Suleiman, chief executive. “While others talk about Nigeria’s potential, we are 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 will sponsor 600 to study high-impact fields – Technology, Finance, Sales, and Public Health. It is open to youths from the 36 states and FCT, with a merit-based and inclusive admissions process.
Candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated by others, and final selection is determined through a public voting process open exclusively to Sterling account holders.
“This is what inclusive investment looks like,” said Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive leading the Retail & Consumer Banking Directorate at Sterling Bank. “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 program is in partnership with Miva University, founded by renowned tech entrepreneur, Sim Shagaya. Fully accredited by the National Universities Commission, Miva is redefining higher education in Africa with scalable, affordable, and flexible programs tailored to the demands of the.
digital economy.
The program also reflects Sterling’s advocacy for organisations to shift from short-term
philanthropy to long-term ecosystem development. With deep investments in digitised healthcare, school financing, agricultural cooperatives, solar energy, and low-cost transport systems, Sterling is building pathways to inclusive prosperity.
“We’re moving beyond charity,” Suleiman said. “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.”
Nominations are now open and as Africa’s youth population continues to grow, initiatives like Beyond Education may point to a new blueprint for private sector leadership,
one where impact is measured not just in profit, but in people empowered.
