Stanbic IBTC Education Trust: Planning Today for Your Child's Future

  Stanbic IBTC Education Trust: Planning Today for Your Child's Future

Education is one of the biggest financial commitments many families will make for their children, yet planning often begins only when school fees are due. By then, parents may be forced to make difficult choices or draw on funds intended for other needs.

Stanbic IBTC Trustees, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, assists families take a more deliberate and structured approach to securing their children's educational future through the Stanbic IBTC Education Trust (SET). The SET is a dedicated trust solution designed to assist parents and guardians set aside and manage funds specifically for their child's education, ensuring that educational goals remain protected and adequately funded over time.

While many parents save informally for future educational expenses, an education trust goes a step further by establishing a dedicated legal structure for managing and protecting those funds. The assets are held exclusively for the child's educational benefit and administered by a professional corporate trustee, helping to ensure that the funds are used as intended. This structured approach enables parents and guardians to plan proactively, safeguard their child's educational future, and maintain continuity regardless of changing personal or financial circumstances.

Speaking on the importance of early education planning, Emi Agaba-Oloja, TEP, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Trustees, said:

“A child’s educational journey should not be left to chance or shaped solely by the financial pressures of the moment. With the right structure, families can make deliberate decisions today that protect their children’s opportunities tomorrow. The Stanbic IBTC Education Trust is designed to assist parents turn that long-term responsibility into a clear, disciplined and purposeful plan.”

A key feature of the SET is that school fees are paid directly to the school, reinforcing the purpose for which the funds were established. The trust’s funds are also invested in conservative investments, professionally managed and administered by Stanbic IBTC Trustees as the corporate trustee.

The structure can also form part of a broader financial protection plan. Parents can name the SET as a beneficiary of their Group Life Insurance through their employer, providing an additional layer of continuity for their children’s education in the event of an unforeseen circumstance.

Importantly, education planning can begin at different stages and with varying financial capacities. The Stanbic IBTC Education Trust (SET) offers a flexible contribution structure and can be established with a minimum initial contribution of ₦100,000, after which additional contributions can be made from as little as ₦5,000 at any time, depending on the financial goals and for convenience. For parents or guardians who prefer to save in foreign currency, the Stanbic IBTC Dollar Education Trust (D-SET) is also available and can be established with a minimum initial contribution of USD 1,000, with subsequent contributions from USD 500. This flexibility allows families to begin planning early and build a dedicated fund towards their children's educational aspirations over time.

Whether the goal is to provide for primary or secondary education, university studies or other educational pursuits, the value of planning lies in giving families time to understand financial commitment, establishing a clear objective and putting the appropriate structure in place. Stanbic IBTC Trustees remains committed in walking with you through your child educational journey

For more information about the Stanbic IBTC Education Trust and how to get started, visit www.stanbicibtctrustees.com, send an email to Trustsolution@stanbicibtc.com, or call 0201 270 6800.