The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has partnered with Sterling Bank Plc to launch a structured work-study programme aimed at bridging the gap between academic training and industry requirements.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the college, as confirmed in a statement by YABATECH’s Deputy Registrar, Mr. Adekunle Adams, on Friday. The initiative is designed to integrate classroom learning with practical workplace experience, ensuring that students graduate with market-ready and competitive skills.
Quoting the Group Head of Sterling Academy, Mr. Kola Oluyemi, Adams noted that the programme reflects Sterling Bank’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce. Oluyemi emphasized that the initiative addresses graduate employability challenges and the mismatch between academic curricula and workplace expectations, enabling participants to gain professional competencies alongside academic qualifications.
The programme targets National Diploma graduates and undergraduates, who will combine paid employment at Sterling Bank with ongoing academic studies. Participants will also benefit from scholarships provided under the bank’s Grow with Sterling initiative.
The Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, described the collaboration as a strategic step toward repositioning technical education, producing graduates who are academically sound, practically skilled, and exposed to meaningful industry experience. Dr. Mas’ud Ajala, Director of the Centre for Linkages, Partnership and International Relations at YABATECH, highlighted that the initiative responds directly to labour market realities, particularly the demand for National Diploma graduates.
Both institutions expressed confidence that the partnership would serve as a national model for integrating education and industry, with implementation set to commence shortly.
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