Business
Sterling Bank Launches Tech-based Solutions for Education Stakeholders
Sterling Bank has recently launched Edubanc; an innovative tech-based solution to provide banking and social services for stakeholders in the education sector. The solution aims to improve current learning outcomes and business growth for students, parents, and providers of educational services.
Mr. Damian Umeasala, General Manager of Edubanc, stated at the launch in Lagos over the weekend, “Education has always been the cornerstone of progress, development, and growth in any economy in the world today. However, financial constraints often hinder the dreams and potential of countless individuals. At Edubanc, we firmly believe everyone should have equal access to quality education, regardless of their financial status “This is why we have created a solution that aims to remove the financial barriers that prevent individuals from realizing their educational goals.”
He described Edubanc as a robust platform that provides students, parents, and educational institutions, a seamless route to secure funding, pay tuition, and access other value-added services.
According to him, products on the platform offer bespoke loan options with flexible repayment plans at competitive interest rates to ensure education remains within everyone’s reach.
“We understand the unique challenges students and families face in today’s dynamic world. This is why Edubanc goes above and beyond traditional financing models by incorporating advanced technologies in the development of products such as Edpay, School Management System, free teachers training, and online tuition collection services,” Umeasala explained.
He revealed that through these cutting-edge offerings, the platform has helped over 3,000 children remain in school, relieved the financial burden of 1,200 parents, granted free training to over 350 teachers, and introduced operational efficiency to about 1,000 schools.
He added that the offerings have also helped parents and students make informed decisions about their educational investment.
“We are committed to partnering with leading educational institutions to provide a holistic solution that addresses the financial aspects and fosters a supportive and nurturing learning environment.
Our collaboration with schools, tech educational institutions, and vocational institutes ensures that Edubanc aligns with their educational goals and values,” Umeasala said.
He said that as Edubanc embarks on a journey to empower countless individuals to pursue their dreams and unlock their true potential, they envision a future where education knows no financial boundaries and every dreamer can aspire and achieve.
Chief Yomi Otubela, National President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), also spoke, citing gender disparities, insufficient access to education, insecurity, and poor infrastructural facilities as some of the educational sector’s challenges.
He expressed the need to invest in the education system because “when we invest in it, we are investing in our future.”
Otubela said there is also a need to reform the educational curriculum to make it dynamic, relevant, and in line with global standards, adding that there is a need to emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, as well as honesty, hard work, selflessness, and service to humanity.
Mrs. Njideka Nwabueze, Sterling Bank’s Head of Education Finance, moderated a panel discussion on “The current state of Education in Nigeria, Future prospects and what we need to do differently”. A few notable mentions were Rachel Onoja, Head of Operations at AltSchool, Francis Ogunlaja, Financial Controller at Decagon, Henry Nnalue, CEO at Allpro Technologies, and many others.
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First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank), Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced the launch of the Verve Flash Promo, a special initiative rewarding customers with free Verve cards.
The campaign, which commenced on 6 October 2025, and will run until 30 January 2026, is exclusively targeted at FirstBank customers whose ATM cards have expired.
The free cards will be issued daily to 131 customers on a first-come, first-served basis across the Bank’s branches, nationwide. FirstBank’s unwavering commitment to convenience, accessibility, and customer satisfaction.
Speaking on the rewards to FirstBank customers, Chuma Ezirim, the Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, said: “The Verve Flash Promo is not just about rewarding customers with free verve debit cards; it is about celebrating our legacy of 131 years of trust, resilience, and innovation in the Nigerian financial services industry. At FirstBank, we remain committed to providing customer-centric solutions that enable secure, seamless, and convenient payment experiences. Partnering with Verve International on these initiatives, including the Verve Good Life promo, underscores our shared vision of deepening financial inclusion while rewarding our loyal customers for their continuous patronage.”
Also commenting, Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Verve International, noted:
“Through strategic collaborations like this with FirstBank, we continue to demonstrate Verve’s commitment to enhancing access to seamless payment solutions for every Nigerian. The Verve Flash Promo not only rewards loyal customers but also reinforces our vision of making everyday transactions more rewarding, secure, and convenient. As we extend the Good Life Promo, we remain steadfast in our goal of deepening financial inclusion while delivering real value to Verve cardholders across the country.”
Meanwhile, the ongoing Verve Good Life promo, designed to reward Verve debit card holders for using their cards at specific merchant points, has been extended to 30 November 2025.
During the period, Verve Card holders enjoy 10% cashback at The Place Restaurant, Quickteller, Buypower, Filmhouse, AlliExpress, Addide Supermarkets, and Chowdeck app every Thursday to Sunday.
Verve cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback on the Google Play Store any day of the week throughout the Good Life Promo, which runs until 30 November 2025. Moreso, every transaction made with a Verve card whether on ATMs, POS terminals, or online platforms automatically earns customers a chance to win up to ₦1,000,000.
Nigeria’s leading telecommunications company, Globacom, has announced enhancement of its data bundles to give subscribers more data volume at the same affordable prices.
The upgrade reinforces the company’s commitment to providing superior value and exceptional customer satisfaction.
The upgraded Glo Data Bundles are enhanced versions of the existing daily, weekly, and monthly plans, giving subscribers more data at no additional cost.
These improvements offer users greater freedom and convenience to enjoy their favourite online activities from streaming and gaming to social media, video calls, and more.
For daily users, the ₦100 plan has been upgraded from 105MB to 125MB, giving light internet users even more data to browse, chat, and stream short videos conveniently.
The weekly bundles have also received notable boosts, such as the ₦1,500 plan, which now offers 6GB instead of 5.9GB, enabling subscribers to stay connected longer.
Heavy data consumers will also enjoy remarkable value on the monthly plans. The ₦2,000 bundle now gives 6.25GB, while the ₦10,000 package has been enhanced from 38GB to 42GB, allowing users to do more from video streaming and large file downloads to remote work and virtual meetings.
Students are not left out, as the Campus Booster Plan has been upgraded with higher data allowances, ensuring seamless access to academic resources and social networks while on campus.
Globacom noted that the revised bundles are available to all Glo customers prepaid, postpaid, and hybrid and can be activated by dialing *312#, using the Glo Café app (available on Android and iOS), or visiting hsi.glo.com.
The company added that subscribers can use, share, or gift data through *312# or the Glo Café app. Customers will also continue to receive data usage alerts at 75% and 100% consumption levels to help monitor usage effectively.
Unused data is automatically rolled over upon renewal before expiry or when a new plan is purchased within the grace period (ranging from one to seven days, depending on the plan).
Globacom reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Nigerians with reliable and affordable data access, urging customers to take advantage of the revised data bundles that combine affordability, quality, and more browsing power ensuring every Glo subscriber enjoys more data without paying more.
Fidelity Bank Plc has congratulated Air Peace on the successful launch of its maiden direct flight from Lagos to London Heathrow, describing the milestone as a significant achievement for Nigeria’s aviation sector and a testament to the power of indigenous partnerships.
The commendation was delivered by Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, managing director of Fidelity Bank, during a special event held in Lagos to celebrate the airline’s expansion into the European market.
“This is not just a win for Air Peace, but a win for Nigeria,” Onyeali-Ikpe said. “It reflects the strength of home-grown businesses and the impact of strategic financial support in enabling national champions to thrive on the global stage.”
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that Fidelity Bank has played a pivotal role in Air Peace’s growth, providing early financial backing and advisory services that helped the airline become the largest carrier in West Africa. The bank continues to support Air Peace through payment processing and other financial services
The launch of the London route marks a new chapter for Air Peace, which now joins a select group of African airlines operating direct flights to Heathrow.
The development is expected to boost tourism, trade, and connectivity between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the event, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank for its unwavering support and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to excellence and service.
“This partnership has been instrumental in our journey,” Onyema said. “We are proud to fly the Nigerian flag across international skies.”
Industry stakeholders present at the event praised the collaboration between the two companies as a model for sustainable business growth and national development.
