By After leading a national outcry against bank transfer fees, Sterling Bank has expanded its Zero Transfer Fees campaign by offering free bus rides to Lagosians. Last week, commuters finishing long workdays were greeted by Sterling OneBank-branded buses ready to take them home without charge.
The initiative, which began as a stand against hidden banking costs, will run through May 2025 to ease transportation stress after the May Day holidays. “For customers who have to choose between transport fare and groceries, this is more than a ride, it is hope,” said Chidimma Okoli, Masterbrand Marketing Lead at Sterling Bank.
Okoli emphasized that Sterling’s approach was about action, not fanfare. “Financial systems have for too long extracted from Nigerians. 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,” she stated, linking the effort to the bank’s history of social impact programs.
She further highlighted Sterling’s longstanding support for Nigerians, recalling pandemic-era initiatives that enabled remote work and SME survival, as well as programs like AltSchool Africa and entrepreneur bootcamps that have empowered skills development. After fuel subsidies ended, Sterling also financed transport cooperatives to keep Nigerians moving.
Okoli explained that the bank’s infrastructure strength underpins the campaign. “Sterling’s robust digital banking backbone, capable of handling over 180 million transactions and scaling rapidly, allows it to absorb costs that many banks would have pushed onto customers,” she said.
As May unfolds, Sterling Bank plans to continue offering free rides across Lagos. The bank is encouraging riders to share their experiences online, turning everyday commutes into a movement for a fairer, more people-centered financial system.
