Sterling Bank did the math—and still chose the people, by Osita Chidoka

On Friday Morning, I will open an account at a Sterling Bank Branch in Abuja to reward the bank for removing transfer charges, which other banks have refused to do.

In 2023, I called on the CBN and President Tinubu to ease the burden on Nigerians by stopping the hidden, exploitative charges Nigerians face in the banking system. They didn’t act.

But Sterling Bank did.

They walked away from ₦13.56 billion in transfer charges—4.13% of their total revenue—to give Nigerians breathing room.

Let that sink in:
They gave up over ₦13 billion from transfers alone.

Other banks could, too—but they won’t. Now, consider this: four banks took ₦186 billion (Zenith, GTCO, UBA, and First Bank) from the pockets of Nigerians in transfer fees alone in 2024.

For context 186 billion is more than the combined federal allocation to six federal universities – UNN, ABU, UI, OAU, Unical, and Unilag in 2025 budget and more about 60% of the budget of the 2025 Yobe State (₦320 billion)

Meanwhile, all four banks are posting record profits. Removing transfer fees would hardly dent their revenues:

Here’s what the numbers say:

GTCO: ₦15.47 billion from transfer charges — just 1.22% of revenue

UBA: ₦48.36 billion — 1.52%

Zenith Bank: ₦80.05 billion — 2.02%

First Bank: ₦42.55 billion — 1.41%

These aren’t make-or-break figures for any of them.

They’re just comfortable profits from charging ordinary Nigerians ₦10 to ₦50 per transfer—millions of times over.

The truth?
They won’t stop unless we make them.

Sterling Bank has shown us a better way. They’ve proven that you can run a profitable, tech-driven, modern bank without extracting rent from the people.

So yes, I’m acting. Opening a Sterling Bank account is a statement of values. A protest against exploitation. And a demand for transparency, innovation, and fairness in Nigerian banking.

Let’s make Friday #OpenSterlingAcct Day.
Let your money stand for fairness, transparency, and innovation.

Tag your bank. Tag your friends.
Tell them: We’ve seen the numbers, and we’re done paying for digital oppression.

#SterlingBank #NoTransferFees #RewardGoodBehaviour #BankingRevolution #NigeriansDeserveBetter #VoteWithYourWallet

Osita Chidoka
3 April 2025