Sterling Bank has announced the first 30 beneficiaries of its N2 billion ‘Beyond Education’ scholarship, a nationwide initiative aimed at funding university education for 600 exceptional young Nigerians and connecting them to careers in high-impact sectors.
The scheme, launched in June 2025, is the Bank’s most ambitious education-focused intervention to date and is designed to cover full undergraduate tuition at Miva Open University, Nigeria’s first licensed private online university, and Hillside University of Science & Technology, a STEM-focused institution located in Ekiti State.
According to the statement by the bank on Thursday, the announcement marks a significant step in its commitment to long-term national development through strategic investment in human capital.
“This is more than a scholarship. It’s a national development strategy. We’re closing the gap between education and employability. Our mission is to prepare young people for the future of work in sectors that matter most to Nigeria’s progress,”said Growth Executive for Consumer and Business Banking at Sterling Bank, Obinna Ukachukwu,
According to the bank, the selection process was community-driven, with account holders of the bank voting for nominees who were then vetted to ensure they met admission requirements at the partner universities.
The 30 inaugural winners include Abdulahi Afolabi, Damilare Tijani, Abdulwahab Eniafe, Abubakar Isah, Tahir Enesi Ibrahim, Julius Agbene Agbo, Chinedu Kelechi Patrick, Ayomide Ojo, Fyneseed Nwogu, Miracle Woyinmomoemi Daniel, Serene Clinton, Temiloluwa Orekunrin, Udeme Umoh, Victor Esogwa, Rosemary Kosipre, Ali Mohammed, Usman Isiaka Ololade, Kayode Aikulola, Saviour Philip, Ademola Afolabi, Emmanuel Enekwa, Bashir Sani Ibrahim, Ezekiel Adeseye, Deborah Umeaku, Abba Kaka Lawan, Haisam Sunusi Mahmuda, John Gumuan, Afan Ajiji, Bajepade Kehinde, and Chioma Igwe.
Sterling Bank said that while the scholarship covers tuition, recipients are expected to bear the cost of internet access, study materials, and living expenses, a model the bank said was designed for “sustainability and scale.”
The initiative aligns with Sterling’s HEART strategy, an investment model focused on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation.
With 570 scholarships still available, the bank stated that nominations for the next round would resume in September, while verified nominees were encouraged to continue engaging their communities as voting remains open.
“To ensure effective rollout, nominations for the next round of candidates will pause until September 2025,” the statement added.
The bank reiterated its commitment to expanding access to quality education and “helping shape a future-ready workforce for Nigeria.”
