Sterling Bank has expanded its ₦2 billion Beyond Education scholarship by including paid internships and job placements for top-performing students. This new step aims to help connect what students learn in school with real-world work experience, providing them with a clear path from the classroom to a successful career.
Initially launched on Democracy Day to support 600 young Nigerians through their academic journeys, the programme now goes further by ensuring that select students gain workplace experience and mentorship. Beneficiaries will receive stipends while interning in various departments, including banking operations, technology, customer experience, and risk management. Mentorship from top executives will also be an integral part of the experience, helping students navigate their career paths and develop essential leadership skills.
Sterling Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, said the initiative reflects the bank’s long-term investment in Nigeria’s human capital. “Our greatest resource is our people,” Suleiman stated. “By equipping them with the tools to lead and solve problems, we are building the kind of workforce that drives national transformation.”
The scholarship is awarded through a community-led nomination process that spans all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Award letters are expected to be sent before the end of June, with the first cohort set to begin their studies in September.
The programme is part of Sterling Bank’s HEART strategy, targeting Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation. Over the years, this approach has reached over 30 million Nigerians through health tech innovations, school digitisation, clean energy tools for farmers, and electric mobility projects.
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