Sterling Bank CEO Abubakar Suleiman’s Big Dream

His march of progress can be very bewildering: fast-paced one minute and stopping altogether in the next. As Nigerian banks continue their unspoken contest for the apex, Sterling Bank continues to adhere to its vision of becoming a full-fledged Holding Company (Holdco). In the meantime, its CEO, Abubakar Suleiman also continues to lay brick after brick for his dream to land on: to lead the bank towards its next phase of growth as the boss of the Holdco.

There is no doubt that Abubakar Suleiman played an active role in the quest of Sterling Bank transforming into a Holdco. It is only right, therefore, that he plays an active role in the restructured banking entity. And Suleiman’s target, as folks have reported, is the topmost position, the position that should enable him to pull Sterling Bank into the fold of African giant banks.

Since assuming the position of CEO in 2018, Suleiman has proved a reliable and remarkably effective CEO. With a stellar grasp of the intricacies of corporate leadership, Suleiman’s every move has been rated as super strategic, needing marginal adjustments, truly taking its position among its peers as The Rising Sun. One wonders if only a Master’s degree from a reputable business school is enough to equip one with this kind of effectiveness.

Folks find it difficult to believe that Abubakar Suleiman is not a Harvard-trained, double-rimmed, grey-haired 50-something. Indeed, it is a 47-year old with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Abuja and a Master’s degree in Major Programs Management from Said Business, University of Oxford, that brought Sterling Bank thus far.

Given the opportunity to take charge of the Holdco when all is said and done, there is no doubt that Suleiman is going to awe every observer with his performance. That is why several Sterling Bank stakeholders are suggesting him as the first big boss of the Holding Company. And of course, Suleiman himself has noted that he is prepared for the role, prepared to lead Sterling Bank.