Union Bank has reiterated its commitment to improving the quality of education in Nigeria, strengthening its support for teachers and expanding access to digital learning through its sustained partnership with the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition.
The Bank reaffirmed this commitment at the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale, held on Friday, October 30, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where outstanding teachers from across the country were recognised for their contributions to the education sector.
The event marked the third consecutive year of Union Bank’s partnership with the competition, now in its 12th edition, organised by Nigerian Breweries Plc in collaboration with the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. The initiative has become an important platform for celebrating teaching excellence and recognising educators whose contributions are shaping the future of Nigerian students.
At the ceremony, Ms Busayo Victoria Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, emerged as the 2026 overall winner, beating nine other finalists selected from more than 2,000 entries received nationwide.
Her reward package includes ₦10 million in cash, a brand-new Honda SUV, participation in an international capacity development programme, and a ₦30 million infrastructure project for her school.
Speaking on behalf of Union Bank, its Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs Olufunmilola Aluko, congratulated the finalists and state champions, describing the competition as one of the most consistent private-sector commitments to the teaching profession in Nigeria. She noted that more than 300 teachers had been recognised through the initiative.
Aluko explained that the Bank’s partnership with the competition aligns with Edu360, its flagship education initiative under the UnionCares platform, which addresses the needs of the education sector across the entire value chain.
She stressed that teachers remain central to the Bank’s education intervention, adding: “Teachers remain at the centre of that work, because every other investment in education depends on the person who stands in front of the class each morning.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund and Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Thibaut Boidin, underscored the enduring impact of teachers on society, noting that they plant seeds in the classroom that take years to bear fruit.
Beyond celebrating outstanding educators, Union Bank’s commitment to the initiative has also translated into tangible investments in educational infrastructure and technology.
Earlier in October, the Bank participated in the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Lugbe, Abuja. The facility was developed by the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in honour of the 2025 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Ms Serah Yusuf, who teaches at the school, with support from Union Bank through its Edu360 platform.
Equipped with computers, internet connectivity and computer-based testing facilities, the centre is designed to strengthen students’ digital capabilities, improve their readiness for higher education and prepare them for examinations conducted electronically, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Examination.
The commissioning attracted representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and members of the school community.
Union Bank’s delegation was led by its Abuja 2 Area Business Executive, Mr Francis Anaemene, who described the project as a significant outcome of the Bank’s sustained partnership with the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative.
“Union Bank is delighted to witness today’s fruition of our support for the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative for the third year running. The achievement of Ms Serah Yusuf, the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2025 national winner, is a testament to her school’s culture of excellence, and today’s commissioning is a fitting celebration of it,” he said.
Established in 2018, Union Bank’s Edu360 initiative focuses on three critical areas: improving access to education, enhancing educational quality and optimising learning outcomes through strategic partnerships across industries.
The Bank’s continued involvement in the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative and its support for digital learning infrastructure reflect its alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Through these interventions, Union Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education ecosystem by recognising exceptional teachers, supporting schools and equipping young people with the skills and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
