The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has launched the 2026 edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, with entries open from Thursday, June 3, 2026, to Friday, August 7, 2026. The nationwide initiative recognises outstanding secondary school teachers for their impact on education in Nigeria.
At a flag-off event in Lagos, Uaboi Agbebaku, secretary of the trust fund, described the competition as a platform to celebrate teachers whose dedication and innovation are shaping the country's future. He noted that several organisations have expressed interest in partnering with the fund this year, as it opens collaboration opportunities to others aligned with its mission.
Uzodinma Odenigbo, public relations officer for the NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, disclosed that the 2026 winner will receive ten million naira (N10,000,000.00), a brand new Honda HR-V, a year's supply of Maltina, and an overseas capacity development training opportunity. The winner's school will also benefit from a 30 million naira (N30,000,000.00) infrastructure project.
The first runner-up will get five million naira (N5,000,000.00) and a trophy, while the second runner-up receives three million naira (N3,000,000.00) and a trophy. Each state champion will be awarded a plaque and one million naira (N1,000,000.00).
Odenigbo reaffirmed Nigerian Breweries' commitment to education, calling the competition one of its flagship interventions. He thanked partners Honda Automobile West Africa Limited, Union Bank Plc, and Air Peace for their support.
During a panel session titled "How Educational Support Can Enhance Learning Outcomes for Teachers and Students," Adaobi Ekwuno, Lagos State coordinator of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), urged all levels of government to improve public school infrastructure. Gbenga Ayetoba, secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Lagos Chapter, said the teaching profession has faced long-term neglect.
Olushola Masheyi, president of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), Lagos State, said the profession no longer attracts top talent, contributing to poor education quality. He stressed that solving education challenges requires more than government action.
Interested teachers can apply online via www.maltinateacheroftheyear.com.
The same teachers being celebrated with N10 million by a brewery trust are described by union and school leaders as systematically neglected by government. Olushola Masheyi says the profession no longer attracts the best, yet the prize meant to uplift teachers comes from a drinks company, not the state. If public recognition requires corporate sponsorship, it raises questions about who truly values educators in Nigeria.
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