A 31-year-old educator named Yusuf Serah from Wisdom International School of Excellence in Abuja has been recognized as the Maltina Teacher ...
A 31-year-old educator named Yusuf Serah from Wisdom International School of Excellence in Abuja has been recognized as the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2025.
Yusuf was declared the winner of the N10m grand prize during the final event of the 11th season of the Maltina Teacher of the Year contest, which took place in Lagos on Friday evening.
The panel of judges, led by Prof. Pat Utomi, named Yusuf, an English and Literature teacher, as the best performer among the 10 finalists.
In addition to the cash prize, Yusuf received a trophy, infrastructure projects valued at N30m for her school, and an opportunity for capacity-building training overseas.
The Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund initiated the submission process for the 11th round of the contest in July.
In an exclusive interview with our reporter, Yusuf stated that her victory was due to a mix of "self-improvement, concentration, hard work, perseverance, commitment, guidance, teamwork, and the favor of God."
She stated, "At first, I was taken aback and hadn't anticipated it, even though many people were supporting me, assuring me that I would win. I would just smile. However, I was silently praying that God would make it happen."
Although I gave my best during the interview, I realized that being announced yesterday was entirely due to divine favor. I view this as the moment when preparation aligns with opportunity; with God's grace and supportive guidance, success is within reach.
She mentioned that the N10m prize money would help her keep moving forward on the journey of "empowering disadvantaged children in neglected communities, giving a voice to children living in slums, assisting parents who can't afford school fees and uniforms, providing sanitary pads and improving menstrual hygiene for girls, and launching community and school-based initiatives that support the Sustainable Development Goals."
Following her victory, Yusuf is added to the list of previous competition winners, such as Mrs. Rose Obi (Anambra, 2015); Mr. Imoh Essien (Akwa Ibom, 2016); Mr. Ariguzo Udochukwu (Delta, 2017); Mr. Olasunkanmi Opeifa (Abuja, 2018); Mr. Ezem (Abuja, 2019); Mrs. Oluwabunmi Anani (Adamawa, 2020); Mr. Abanike Taiye (Delta, 2021); Mr. Ayiwulu Alaku (Plateau, 2022); Ms. Adeola Adefemi (Lagos, 2023); and Mr. Esomnofu Chidiebube (Nasarawa, 2024).
As revealed during the event, Akinselure Adeola from Omole Senior Grammar School in Lagos was the first runner-up and received N5m, while Amarikwa Chibuzor from Deeper Life High School in Yola Campus, Adamawa State, came in second place, winning N3m.
At the gathering, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, the Minister of State for Education, stated that the Federal Government is dedicated to implementing policies aimed at improving the "well-being, skills, and professionalism" of educators.
Utomi, during his comments, advocated for additional initiatives like the Maltina Teacher of the Year program, which honors educators as role models in schools.
Delivering the main speech, 11-year-old Ayomide Avoseh, a participant in the Slum2School Learner Initiative from Makoko, Lagos, urged more funding for educators, criticizing the ongoing large number of children not attending school.
"We must invest in educators. Teachers require support. The future of Nigeria lies within classrooms; the power of Nigeria is found in teachers. We also need secure schools, as education should be considered a right, not a privilege," Avoseh stated.
The chairman of the Nigeria Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, Thibaut Boidin, further referred to teachers as the genuine treasure of the country, encouraging them to continue "guiding the path for others."
Sharing information about this year's submissions, the Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Uzodinma Odenigbo, stated that the company got more than 2,000 applications, representing a rise of over 30 percent compared to the last year.
He observed that this indicated the increasing recognition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year award, and said, “The future of Nigeria lies not in boardrooms or oil wells, but in the classrooms.”
Notable individuals at the event were the Registrar from the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kaosarat Ambrose-Medebem, and the Commissioner for Basic Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun.
The Teacher of the Year award from Maltina is a yearly national program initiated in 2015 by Nigerian Breweries via its Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, designed to honor and reward outstanding secondary school educators in Nigeria. It seeks to encourage academic excellence and enhance teacher motivation through monetary awards, international training opportunities, and assistance with school facilities.
The event is supported by key educational authorities such as the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and the Teachers Registration Council, and has grown over the years to encompass both public and private institutions.
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