Stanbic IBTC Holdings has continued its drive for youth empowerment with the formal certificate presentation for participants of the Digital Skills Empowerment Programme (DiSEP) 4.0, held at the organisation’s Head Office in Lagos. The event also featured the official induction of the incoming DiSEP 5.0 cohort, bringing together graduates, new participants and senior executives.
The chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, presented certificates to the DiSEP 4.0 graduates and praised their hard work and growth throughout the programme. He highlighted the value of the skills they gained, noting the importance of digital readiness in today’s workplace. DiSEP, which serves as a major corporate social responsibility initiative of the organisation, is designed to equip young Nigerians with relevant digital and employability skills that connect academic knowledge to real industry needs.
The DiSEP 5.0 cohort, which will run until March 2026, places stronger focus on gender inclusion by creating more opportunities for women. It also encourages increased participation from Northern Nigeria to ensure wider national reach and impact. According to the organisation, successful participants will gain training in advanced technical fields such as Kubernetes, .NET Core, C#, Software Testing and Automation, DevOps and Java. These areas offer pathways to careers in software engineering, cloud infrastructure, quality assurance and modern application development within Stanbic IBTC and across the wider technology and financial services sectors.
During the event, Mrs Ezinne Chidi Anosike, Country Head, People and Culture, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, announced the creation of the DiSEP Alumni Network. She explained that the platform will support continuous engagement, mentorship and career development for both current and former participants.
One of the key moments of the ceremony was the speech by Ms Hannah Ochim, a DiSEP 2.0 alumna who is now an employee of Stanbic IBTC. She shared her experiences and spoke about how the programme shaped her professional journey. “DiSEP did not just teach me technical skills; it transformed the way I see opportunities and my own potential,” she said. She encouraged the new cohort by adding, “I stand here as proof that this programme changes lives. To the new cohort, embrace every moment; your future starts now.”
Mr Nwokocha reaffirmed the organisation’s long-term commitment to supporting young people and promoting digital inclusion. He stated, “At Stanbic IBTC, we believe that empowering the next generation with relevant skills is fundamental to Nigeria’s growth. DiSEP is more than a training programme; it is a movement that creates sustainable careers and drives innovation. We are proud of every graduate and excited to welcome the DiSEP 5.0 participants into this life-changing journey.”
Since inception, DiSEP has trained and empowered more than 800 young Nigerians, with many securing jobs in leading organisations, including Stanbic IBTC. The programme continues to receive commendation for its practical curriculum, expert guidance and strong focus on employability. Stanbic IBTC also restated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital future by giving young people the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.
