Serah Yusuf, an educator from Wisdom International School of Excellence in Lugbe, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, has been crowned the re...
Serah Yusuf, an educator from Wisdom International School of Excellence in Lugbe, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, has been crowned the recipient of the 2025 Maltina Teacher of the Year (MToY) Award.
Her triumph was revealed on Friday evening in Lagos during the final event of the contest, which took place at Eko Hotels and Suites on Victoria Island.
The gathering drew numerous distinguished individuals, such as the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs. Folashade Ambrose (the state’s Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trades and Investments), the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and more.
Having won the current MToY Award, Serah, an English language teacher, is the third educator from FCT to receive the honor in the award's 11-year history.
Mr. Olasunkanmi Opeifa, an English teacher at the Government Day Secondary School in Karu, and Mr. Collins Ezem, a Christian Religious Studies instructor at the Royal Family Academy in Wuye, both secured victories in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
In the meantime, Serah's commitment to academic excellence has garnered her multiple recognitions prior to this, such as the Phenomenon Edupreneur Challenge 2025 and the IDEE National Teachers Prize 2025. Furthermore, her efforts keep progressing STEM education, community growth, and gender equality throughout Nigeria.
As the winner of the 2025 grand prize, Serah's rewards consist of N10 million, a gold trophy, a certificate of excellence, and she will also participate in an all-expenses-paid capacity development program overseas. Additionally, her school will receive developmental projects worth N20 million for its role in her success.
The runner-up positions (Adeola Akinsulure, a teacher from Omole Senior Grammar School in Ikeja, Lagos state, and Chibuzor Amarikwa of Deeper Life High School in Yola, Adamawa State) were awarded N5 million and N3 million along with an excellence certificate, while each state champion received N1 million for their participation.
The MToY award, an annual event marking its 11th edition this year, is organized by Nigerian Breweries Plc through its humanitarian arm, the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. The initiative aims to recognize and highlight dedicated and hardworking secondary school teachers across the country, thereby enhancing the education sector and the overall economy. Participation is free, and since its launch, a total of 278 teachers, including the top prize winners, have been identified and awarded various prizes. This year, no fewer than 2,010 teachers submitted entries nationwide, from which an independent panel of judges, led by Prof Pat Utomi, evaluated their work and selected all category winners.
During the event, the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was represented by Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investments, who commended the MToY Awards for their reliability and influence within the nation.
He believes that teaching is more than a profession; it is a vocation. It serves as the hidden energy that drives all occupations and enhances every industry.
Education is more than a profession; it is a vocation. It is the hidden power that drives every occupation and enhances every industry.
"Therefore, to every teacher being honored today, Lagos State is proud of you. Nigeria is proud of you. Your influence is significant—in every success tale and every flourishing community," Sanwo-Olu stated, encouraging them and their fellow educators throughout the country to demonstrate greater dedication to their profession.
Additionally, the MD/CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc and Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, Thibaut Boidin, shared his thoughts on his time in Nigeria since arriving five months prior.
He said, "Even before my plane landed, I kept hearing about an award known as the Maltina Teacher of the Year. In the short time I've been here, Nigeria has become my classroom. Every experience has been a lesson—sometimes about humility, sometimes about happiness, always about development."
Boidin highlighted the importance of education by citing a statement from Jean Jacques Rousseau and honored educators as the "steady hands molding the future."
As he mentioned, an excellent teacher is similar to a candle, which burns itself to illuminate the path for others. Tonight, we express: we recognize you; we appreciate you, and we encourage you to continue guiding the way.
From her side, Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended the event organizers for establishing the opportunity and also recognized the teachers for their perseverance and significance to the nation.
She stated that teachers are the real drivers of national change. Within every successful society stands the bravery of educators whose everyday work molds thoughts and fosters principles.
Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the government's dedication to the well-being and career growth of educators.
She said, "Educators are a key focus for this government since education is essential. To attain outstanding results, we need to encourage and assist those who care for our children."
Notably, an 11-year-old named Ayomide Avoseh, who is part of the Slum2School literacy and public-speaking initiative, gave the main speech at the gathering.
Resolute and heartfelt, he voiced the concerns of millions of Nigerian children.
He stated, "A teacher is not merely an individual who faces a classroom. A teacher is someone who supports a child from behind until that child is capable of standing on their own."
Emphasizing the difficulties many children encounter, especially in Nigeria, the young man stated, "Many children in my neighborhood have never been inside a classroom. Some have to share one book among five individuals. Is this the Nigeria you envision?"
He advocated for secure schools, improved assistance for educators, and educational environments where each child can aspire and succeed.
The Teacher of the Year program by Maltina, now backed by Union Bank Plc, Air Peace, FCMB, and Eko Hotels and Suites, keeps promoting positive development through financing research, building classrooms, labs, and restrooms, and granting scholarships to qualified students.
Previous award recipients, beginning with the most recent and moving backward, include Mr. Esomnofu Chidiebube (2024) from Nasarawa State, Ms. Adeola Adefemi (2023) of Lagos State, Mr. Ayiwulu Alaku (2022) from Plateau State, and Mr. Abanika Taiye (2021) of Delta State.
Other individuals included Ms. Oluwabunmi Anani (2020) from Adamawa state, Mr. Ezem Collins (2019) of FCT, Mr. Olasunkanmi Opeifa (2018) from FCT, Mr. Ariguzo Udochukwu (2017) of Delta state, Mr. Imoh Essien (2016) from Akwa Ibom State, and Mrs. Rose Nkemdilim Obi (2015).
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