By HeapNews
After igniting a national conversation with its Zero Transfer Fees campaign, Sterling Bank is once again making headlines—this time on the streets of Lagos. The bank has launched a free bus ride initiative across major city corridors, offering commuters a much-needed break from the high cost of transportation.
Last week, workers leaving their offices were surprised to find Sterling OneBank-branded buses waiting to take them home at no cost. The free rides, which will continue through May 2025, are part of Sterling’s broader push to ease financial burdens for Nigerians beyond just digital banking.
“For customers who have to choose between transport fare and groceries, this is more than a ride, it’s hope,” said Chidimma Okoli, Masterbrand Marketing Lead at Sterling. “When we said we were tearing down the barriers to moving your money, we meant it. But we also meant the barriers to moving yourself, to moving your dreams, to moving your life forward.”
Commuters across Lagos, from Obalende to Ikorodu and TBS to Oshodi, have welcomed the initiative with gratitude. Mary E., a market trader from Oshodi, expressed her joy after stepping off one of the buses: “This is the first time a bank is not just advertising but acting. I have saved on transfers all month because of OneBank. And today, I saved on my transport. Sterling ehn, dem sharp. Dem dey move.”
On LinkedIn, a young professional also shared his experience: “Every naira matters o. I already saved money on bank transfers using OneBank. Today, Sterling saved me time, money, and stress after a brutal day at work. They just get it.”
For single mother and hairdresser Amaka I. from Ajah, the free ride was deeply personal. “We Lagos people work so hard just to move. Today, I didn’t have to count Naira for my bus fare. That is dignity. That is respect,” she said.
Okoli stressed that the initiative is rooted in action, not publicity. “Financial systems have for too long extracted from Nigerians,” she said. “At Sterling, we are making a different choice. We are giving back, not just in naira and kobo, but in opportunities, in relief, and in real dignity.”
Sterling Bank’s recent efforts build on a long history of supporting Nigerians through tough times. During the pandemic, the bank helped small businesses transition to remote work and launched programs like AltSchool Africa to promote skills development. Following the removal of fuel subsidies, Sterling also financed transport cooperatives to keep Lagos moving.
While proud of the bank’s legacy, Okoli emphasized that the focus is on the future. “We’re not trying to relive past glories,” she said. “We’re building new victories, alongside the people who trust us every day with their journeys.”
Behind the scenes, Sterling’s powerful digital infrastructure—able to handle over 180 million transactions—has made it possible to absorb costs that many others would pass on to customers.
As the May Day holidays end, Lagosians can continue to expect free rides on Sterling buses, a daily reminder that banking can, and should, be about lifting lives—not just managing money.
“True banking is not about hoarding profit; it is about moving lives and moving freely,” the bank said in a statement, encouraging riders to share their experiences and amplify the movement across Nigeria.