Sterling group partners Nigerian journalists for sustainable nat’l growth
The Sterling Sustainability Working Group has reaffirmed the critical role of the media in driving Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda, as it partnered with journalists across the country during a two-day Media Sustainability Training organised under the Nigerian Sustainability Week (NSW) 2025.
Speaking at the workshop, Chair of the Sustainability Working Group, Mrs. Bunmi Ajiboye, described the engagement as more than a training programme, noting that it represents a strategic collaboration aimed at shaping how Nigeria’s story of progress, resilience and innovation is told.
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Mrs. Ajiboye explained that the Sustainability Working Group champions the sustainability mandate of Sterling Financial Holdings Company, which comprises Sterling Bank and The Alternative Bank. According to her, the group’s vision aligns sustainability with national growth by integrating environmental responsibility, economic development and social impact.
She stressed that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for nation-building, particularly in an era where information shapes culture, behaviour and public understanding.
“The story is only as true as the person who tells it,” she said, adding that how stories are framed often determines how they are believed, remembered and acted upon.
Highlighting Sterling’s sustainability journey, Mrs. Ajiboye said the organisation has been deliberate in financing renewable energy solutions, supporting circular economy start-ups, promoting climate-smart agriculture and empowering thousands of young Nigerians.
She however noted that impactful initiatives can only achieve national relevance when they are effectively communicated.
“The work is important, but the story is what shapes the nation,” she stated, emphasizing that innovation and progress lose momentum when they are not translated into narratives that inspire understanding and action.
She described journalists as indispensable partners in this process, noting that media professionals influence how sustainability is perceived by policymakers, citizens and the wider global community.
According to her, sustainability has evolved beyond environmental concerns to become a development, economic and people-centred conversation.
Mrs. Ajiboye said the training was intentionally designed to equip journalists with the tools to report sustainability issues accurately, counter misinformation, spotlight grassroots innovations and inspire positive change across communities.
She noted that the workshop brought together seasoned facilitators with decades of combined experience to train, coach and inspire participants, reinforcing the seriousness of the initiative.
“This is not just a class; it is an invitation to partnership,” she told participants, urging them to help build a national narrative that reflects Nigeria as a country of resilience, creativity and possibility.
She thanked the journalists for their commitment and curiosity, expressing confidence that the collaboration would contribute to sustainable national growth through responsible and impactful storytelling.
