Education &
Continuous Learning
A journey of intellectual growth from rural Nigeria to Oxford, marked by a commitment to lifelong learning and academic excellence.
University of Oxford
Saïd Business School
Executive Education
Abubakar pursued executive education at one of the world's most prestigious business schools, focusing on strategic leadership and scenario planning. The Oxford Scenarios Programme equipped him with frameworks for navigating uncertainty and envisioning multiple futures—skills that would prove invaluable in transforming Sterling Bank.
"Oxford taught me to think in scenarios, to embrace uncertainty not as a threat but as a canvas for possibility."
University of Abuja
Bachelor of Science, Economics
1992 - 1995
At the University of Abuja, Abubakar studied Economics—a discipline that would shape his understanding of markets, human behavior, and the role of institutions in society.
During his time at university, he developed a reputation as an intellectual—always with a book in hand, always asking the deeper questions. This foundation in economic theory would later inform his vision for banking as a tool for nation-building rather than mere profit extraction.
Executive Programs & Certifications
Beyond formal degrees, Abubakar has pursued continuous professional development through elite executive programs, demonstrating a commitment to staying at the cutting edge of leadership, finance, and strategic thinking.
Global CEO Program
Strategic leadership for C-suite executives
CFO Academy
Financial strategy and corporate governance
Independent Directors Program
Board governance and fiduciary responsibility
MMPM
Master of Major Programme Management (2011-2013)
Risk Management for Corporate Leaders
Enterprise risk and strategic decision-making
The CFO as a Strategic Partner
Aligning finance with business strategy
Academic Contribution
Gendered Leadership in Major Programmes
Published September 2013
This research paper, published on Academia.edu, draws on previous work in the fields of psychology, gender, management, and leadership to demonstrate that different gender-oriented leadership styles exist in major programmes and impact performance differently.
By utilizing primary data using the BS-RI methodology to establish gender characteristics and regressing the findings against programme performance, Abubakar established a correlation between certain gender types and the outcomes of major programmes.
This publication reflects Abubakar's commitment to evidence-based leadership and his belief that understanding the nuances of human behavior—including gender dynamics—is essential for effective management of complex organizational initiatives.
Professional Memberships
Institute of Directors
Member of the premier organization for corporate governance and board leadership in Nigeria.
Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria
Professional membership in Nigeria's leading banking industry body, committed to excellence in banking practice.
"Education is not the filling of a vessel, but the lighting of a fire."
From a village without electricity to the halls of Oxford, Abubakar's educational journey embodies the transformative power of learning—not as credential collection, but as continuous intellectual awakening.