Maltina Teacher of the Year 2026 Winner to Receive Car, N10 Million Prize

The Nigeria Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has officially opened entries for the 12th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, with this year’s winner set to receive a brand-new Honda HR-V in addition to the N10 million grand prize.

Entries opened on Wednesday and will close on August 7, while the grand finale and announcement of the winner is scheduled for October 30. The addition of a car marks the first time a vehicle will be included in the prize package for the competition’s champion.

The winner’s school will also benefit from N30 million worth of infrastructure development, a one-year supply of Maltina, and international capacity-building training. The first runner-up will receive N5 million, the second runner-up N3 million, while the top teacher from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will go home with N1 million.

Speaking at the launch held at the company’s office in Iganmu, Lagos, the Sustainability Manager of Nigerian Breweries Plc noted that Kaduna, Lagos and Abuja recorded the highest number of entries in the 2025 edition, with over 2,000 applications received overall. Since the competition began, more than 11,700 entries have been submitted.

The 2025 edition was won by 32-year-old Yusuf Serah of Wisdom International School of Excellence, Abuja. Past winners include Rose Obi (2015), Imoh Essien (2016), Ariguzo Udochukwu (2017), Olasunkanmi Opeifa (2018), Mr. Ezem (2019), Oluwabunmi Anani (2020), Abanike Taiye (2021), Ayiwulu Alaku (2022), Adeola Adefemi (2023), and Esomnofu Chidiebube (2024).

The Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries stated that over 300 teachers have been recognised as state or national champions since the competition’s inception in 2015. He added that the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has renovated or donated 430 classrooms and libraries across 80 communities nationwide.

Concerns over the recent abduction of teachers and students in schools were also raised, with a call for government and stakeholders to ensure safe and secure learning environments. Representatives from Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited, Air Peace Limited, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Union Bank, and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools attended the launch event.