Sterling Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has named the first 30 beneficiaries of its N2 billion Beyond Education Scholarship — a transformative nationwide initiative to fully fund university education for 600 exceptional young Nigerians and connect them to career opportunities in high-impact sectors.
Launched in June 2025, Beyond Education is Sterling Bank’s most ambitious education-focused intervention yet.
The program covers undergraduate tuition at two forward-thinking institutions — Miva Open University, Nigeria’s first licensed online private university, and Hillside University of Science & Technology (HUST), a STEM-focused campus in Ekiti State.
Unlike conventional scholarships, Beyond Education is a strategic human capital investment aligned with Sterling Bank’s HEART strategy (Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation).
It aims to create a talent pipeline for sectors critical to Nigeria’s development.
“This is more than a scholarship. It’s a national development strategy,” said Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive for Consumer and Business Banking at Sterling Bank. “We are closing the gap between education and employability by preparing young people for the future of work in sectors that matter most to Nigeria’s progress.”
The inaugural winners — selected through a transparent, community-driven voting process open to Sterling Bank account holders — 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.
While tuition is fully covered, recipients are responsible for internet access, learning materials, and living expenses — a structure designed to ensure sustainability and scale.
Nominations for the next cohort will reopen in September 2025, but voting for already-verified nominees remains active.
With 570 scholarships still to be awarded, Sterling Bank is reaffirming its long-term commitment to expanding access to quality education and shaping a future-ready Nigerian workforce.
