Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of the Standard Bank Group, has awarded scholarships to successful candidates in the 2019 and 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The gesture is part of Stanbic’s aspiration to encourage hard work and excellence in academic pursuit, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 87 beneficiaries were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

The beneficiaries comprise 39 candidates who participated in the 2019 UTME and 48 from the 2020 UTME.

Physically challenged candidates were included. The presentation of the scholarships was conducted virtually on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

The scholarship programme was introduced as part of the financial institution’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Dr Demola Sogunle, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic, said the prosperity of the nation and its citizens hinged on the youths’ educational development and that the financial institution remained determined to provide the necessary support to brilliant students.

He said, “Stanbic IBTC appreciates the fundamental role education plays in transforming society; which is why we have chosen to institute the scholarship to encourage hard work and academic excellence among Nigerian students who desire tertiary education. The scholarship will enable them to pursue and realise their dreams of academic excellence.”