Beyond Education Fund

Sterling Bank Names First Beneficiaries Of ₦2 Billion Project 

The first recipients of Sterling Bank Plc’s two billion naira "Beyond Education Scholarship" fund have been unveiled.

The scholarship which is a groundbreaking nationwide initiative designed to fund university education for 600 exceptional young Nigerians connecting them to future careers in high-impact sectors is a reflection of a major step of the bank’s commitment to long-term inclusive national development through strategic investment in human capital.

Beyond Education initiative is designed not just to provide scholarships but to create real-world pathways to employment and socio-economic mobility.

Launched in June 2025 Beyond Education is Sterling Bank’s most ambitious education-focused intervention to date. 

The scholarship fully covers undergraduate tuition at two forward-looking accredited institutions Miva Open University Nigeria’s first licensed online private university, and the Hillside University of Science & Technology (HUST) a STEM-centered campus in Ekiti State.

Unlike conventional scholarship programs Beyond Education is intentionally designed to support Nigeria’s critical development agenda  which aligns with Sterling’s HEART strategy an investment framework focused on Health Education Agriculture Renewable Energy and Transportation.

Sterling Bank's goal is to build a talent pipeline for sectors that are vital to the country’s future.

Growth Executive for Consumer and Business Banking at Sterling Bank Obinna Ukachukwu said the initiative is more than a scholarship describing it as a national development strategy aimed at closing the gap between education and employability. 

Ukachukwu explained that the bank's mission is to prepare young people for the future of work in sectors that matter most to Nigeria’s progress.

He noted that the first 30 scholars were selected through a transparent community-driven voting process open to Sterling Bank account holders where all nominees were thoroughly vetted to ensure they met admission requirements at the partner universities. 

The 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.

While the scholarship covers full tuition, recipients are responsible for associated costs such as internet access, learning materials, and living expenses, a structure designed for sustainability and scale.

To ensure effective rollout the nominations for the next round of candidates has been put on hold until September 2025.

With 570 scholarships yet to be awarded Sterling Bank remains committed to expanding access to quality education while shaping a future-ready workforce for Nigeria.