Entries open for 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition

…winner to get N10m, SUV, others

The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has opened entries for the 12th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, with submissions starting from Thursday, June 3, 2026, to Friday, August 7, 2026.

The competition is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying, recognising and rewarding outstanding secondary school teachers for their invaluable contributions to shaping the nation’s future.

At the flag-off ceremony in Lagos, Uaboi Agbebaku, secretary of the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, said that the competition was a vital platform for celebrating teachers whose dedication, innovation, and commitment continue to transform lives and strengthen the nation’s education system.

He said a few organisations have indicated interest in partnering with the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to support the competition this year, as the Fund extends partnership opportunities to more organisations that share the initiative’s vision and mission.

Uzodinma Odenigbo, public relations officer, NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, speaking also, noted that the overall winner for the 2026 edition would receive a cash prize of ten million naira (N10,000,000.00), including a brand new Honda HR-V, a year’s supply of Maltina, and a capacity development training opportunity overseas. In addition, the winner’s school would receive an infrastructure project valued at 30 million naira (N30,000,000.00).

“The first runner-up will receive a total sum of N5,000,000.00 (five million naira) and a trophy, while the second runner-up will receive a total of N3,000,000 (three million naira) and a trophy. All state champions will be rewarded with recognition plaques and a cash prize of N1,000,000 (one million naira) each,” Odenigbo added.

He reaffirmed the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting education through impactful interventions that strengthen teaching and learning outcomes nationwide.

“The Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition remains one of our flagship interventions in the education sector. Through this initiative, we continue to celebrate teachers who go beyond the classroom to inspire excellence, nurture future leaders, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

At Nigerian Breweries, we believe that investing in teachers is an investment in Nigeria’s future,” he said.

He expressed profound appreciation to all the partners, including Honda Automobile West Africa Limited, Union Bank Plc, and Air Peace, for their invaluable support in advancing the initiative.

Speaking during a panel session titled “How Educational Support Can Enhance Learning Outcomes for Teachers and Students” at the occasion, Adaobi Ekwuno, the Lagos State coordinator, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), emphasised the need for government at all levels to invest and upgrade facilities or infrastructure in public schools.

In his submission during the session, Gbenga Ayetoba, the secretary, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Lagos Chapter, explained that the teaching profession had suffered neglect from governments both now and in the past, stating that there is a need to change the orientation or mentality around education in Nigeria.

On his part, Olushola Masheyi, president of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools(ANCOPPS), Lagos State, commended NB Plc for the initiative and noted that the teaching profession was no longer attracting the best, stating that this has been responsible for the low quality of education in the country.

Masheyi stated that the challenges confronting teaching cannot be addressed by the government alone, urging stakeholders to explore different support structures to find a lasting solution to the myriad of problems.

Eligible teachers seeking to participate in the competition can visit the dedicated competition website, www.maltinateacheroftheyear.com, to complete the online application form.

Applicants may also download the form, complete it, scan it, and email it to [email protected].

The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund introduced the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition in 2015, to identify, honour and reward outstanding teachers in Nigeria. It is endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education and other education stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).