Busayo Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, has emerged winner of the 12th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, receiving a N10 million cash prize, a car and other benefits.
Gatekeepers News reports that Adeyemo was announced as the winner at an award ceremony held on Friday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In addition to the N10 million cash prize, she received a Honda HR-V, an all-expenses-paid overseas capacity development programme, a year’s supply of Maltina and a N30 million school infrastructure project to be executed in her honour by the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund (NB-FOETF).
She also received a three-bedroom apartment from Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, and an additional N1.5 million for emerging as the winner of the Maltina Prize for Best STEM Teacher.
Tinubu pledges support for out-of-school children
Speaking at the event, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Bernard Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said the trust fund had continued to give teachers recognition, visibility, dignity and rewards through investments in classrooms, libraries and learning facilities.
Tinubu said the Federal Government was prepared to partner with NB-FOETF on its planned long-term support for out-of-school children through a new initiative scheduled to begin in 2027.
According to him, the initiative would build on the trust fund’s longstanding commitment to teachers and improved learning environments while expanding educational access for more Nigerian children.
Sanwo-Olu commended NB-FOETF for its commitment to recognising teachers and using corporate resources to improve their welfare.
He described the fund’s interventions as an effective means of strengthening public-private partnerships while fulfilling corporate social responsibility obligations.
NB-FOETF celebrates teachers’ contributions
Thibaut Boidin, chairman of NB-FOETF, said the competition had, since its inception, remained committed to celebrating outstanding educators across Nigeria and recognising their contributions to national development.
He noted that the 2026 edition was particularly significant as it coincided with three milestones: 80 years of Nigerian Breweries, 50 years of Maltina and 32 years of the trust fund’s investment in education.
While commending teachers for their dedication and sacrifices in shaping future generations, Boidin said teaching should be regarded as more than a profession.
He described it as an act of service to the nation.
“Tonight, we see your commitment, the sacrifices, surprises that may never appear on a report card. We see the extra time you give to a struggling student, the patience, the courage and the optimism required to keep believing in the next generation. We honour you and we thank you,” he said.
Competition records 2,510 entries nationwide
Providing details of the competition, Uzodinma Odenigbo, public relations officer of NB-FOETF and corporate affairs director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, said the initiative had honoured 305 outstanding teachers since its inception.
He added that the competition had supported schools with educational infrastructure and delivered 11 school infrastructure projects.
According to Odenigbo, the 2026 edition recorded a 30 per cent increase in entries, with 2,510 submissions received from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Of the submissions, 2,243 were deemed valid.
Speaking shortly after her emergence as winner, Adeyemo expressed appreciation to NB-FOETF, the Lagos State Government and the competition’s partners for the recognition and rewards.
She described the award as a major motivation to continue giving her best.
“I am excited, thankful and grateful about this competition and the rewards that have followed. This award simply means that I should keep giving my best,” she said.
Other winners receive cash prizes
Yusuf Cariyat of Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Abuja, emerged first runner-up and received N5 million.
Ephraim Jacob Inyangudo of Comprehensive Secondary School, Ediene Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, emerged second runner-up and received N3 million.
Additionally, 17 other teachers who emerged as state champions received N1 million each in recognition of their outstanding performance and commitment to excellence in teaching.
The Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition was introduced in 2015 by the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to identify, honour and reward outstanding teachers in Nigeria.
