YABATECH, Sterling Bank Partner To Bridge Academia – Industry Skills Gap
Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and Sterling Bank Plc have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at closing the long-standing gap between academic training and industry requirements, with the launch of a structured work-study programme for students.
The collaboration, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the Council Chamber of the college, is designed to integrate classroom learning with practical workplace experience, enabling students to graduate with relevant, market-ready skills.
The Group Head, Sterling Academy, Mr. Kola Oluyemi, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce through deliberate collaboration with educational institutions.
According to him, aligning academic training with real industry needs is essential to addressing youth unemployment and strengthening Nigeria’s talent pipeline.
He added that the partnership was conceived as a practical response to graduate employability and the disconnect between what students are taught in school and what employers expect in the workplace. They explained that the work-study model would allow participants to acquire professional competencies, work ethics and confidence alongside their academic qualifications.
The initiative targets National Diploma (ND) graduates and undergraduates, who will combine paid employment at Sterling Bank with continued academic studies, Oluyemi disclosed.
He expatiated that under the arrangement, beneficiaries will gain hands-on industry exposure while pursuing further education through scholarships supported by Sterling Bank. The programme is anchored on the bank’s Grow with Sterling initiative, which focuses on human capital development as a critical driver of sustainable national growth.
The rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr Ibraheem Abdul, described the partnership as a strategic step towards repositioning technical education for relevance and impact.
He noted that YABATECH is committed to producing graduates who are not only academically sound but also equipped with practical skills and industry exposure.
Engr Abdul added that the collaboration reinforces the institution’s long-standing advocacy for stronger “town and gown” relationships, where industry plays an active role in shaping curricula, training delivery and student development.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Director, Centre for Linkages, Partnership and International Relations, Dr. Mas’ud Ajala, said the initiative was conceived in response to current labour market realities and the growing demand for technically skilled ND graduates.
According to him, interactions with private sector leaders revealed that ND graduates are among the most sought-after talents in today’s job market.
“We are proposing a work-and-study opportunity for our ND graduates. This initiative responds directly to the needs of society and industry. There are available job opportunities, and we want our graduates to key into them while continuing their education,” he said.
Dr. Ajala added that the college was fully committed to the success of the partnership and would provide all the support required to deliver meaningful outcomes.
Both YABATECH and Sterling Bank expressed confidence that the partnership would serve as a model for effective academia-industry collaboration in Nigeria.
With the signing of the MoU, implementation of the initiative is set to commence, marking a significant move towards narrowing the skills gap, improving graduate employability and strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base.