Sterling Bank Plc has announced a major upgrade to its “Beyond Education” initiative, reinforcing its commitment to preparing Nigeria’s next generation of professionals. The bank will now offer paid internships and guaranteed job placements to select beneficiaries of its recently launched ₦2 billion scholarship fund targeting 600 young Nigerians.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, the initiative is evolving beyond financial aid into a full-fledged talent development pipeline, aimed at equipping graduates with practical experience in areas like banking, technology, customer service, and risk management.

Sterling Bank’s CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, emphasized the bank’s long-term vision in the statement, saying, “Nigeria’s most valuable resource is its people. Our job is to empower them to lead, create, and drive change. With this program, we’re building a launchpad for the future problem-solvers and innovators of our country.”

Suleiman also noted that the initiative aligns with the bank’s broader impact-driven approach to banking. He cited examples such as Sterling being the first Nigerian bank to eliminate transfer fees for individual customers in April—a move that saved customers over ₦600 million in just three months. Additionally, its “AlwaysOn” program offers eligible customers instant access to ₦1 million in cash advances.

As part of this latest initiative, Sterling is calling on other forward-looking companies to partner in offering internships, jobs, or mentorships to the scholarship recipients. Suleiman described this as a collaborative effort to build a more inclusive and capable workforce for Nigeria.

Interns participating in the program will receive competitive stipends, structured training, and mentorship from senior leaders across the bank.

Under its HEART strategy—focusing on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation—Sterling Bank has impacted over 30 million Nigerians. Its efforts include deploying smart health booths, enhancing digital education infrastructure, supporting farmers, expanding rural energy access, and backing electric mobility solutions.

Launched on Democracy Day, the “Beyond Education” campaign continues to gain momentum. Scholarship candidates are being selected transparently from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with input from community members and Sterling Bank customers.