Ifechukwu wins N10m teacher of the year prize

A teacher from Crown Grace School, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Esomnofu Ifechukwu, has emerged winner of this year’s Maltina Teacher of the Year (MTOTY) competition.

Ifechukwu is the first teacher from Nasarawa State to win the award since its inception 10 years ago. He defeated over 1,476 other teachers from across the country, who participated in this year’s competition to emerge winner.

As part of his prize, Ifechukwu received a cash award of N10 million, a gold trophy, an all-expenses-paid training programme abroad, and ablock of classrooms or laboratory for his school put at N30 million.

This year’s award prizes were increased to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the competition.

Kehinde Olukayode from Molusi College, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, was first runner-up and received N3 million, while the second runner-up, Aniefiok Udoh, from Community Secondary Commercial School, Akwa Ibom, got N2 million.

Thirty-four teachers, who were state champions, received N1 million each.

The Maltina Teacher of the Year award is an initiative of Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, designed to recognise, celebrate, and reward outstanding teachers in public and private secondary schools across the country.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who was represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, commended teachers for their enormous contributions to creating a brighter tomorrow despite the many challenges in performing their roles.

Sanwo-Olu noted that through the initiative, the organisation has demonstrated immense support and uplifted the teaching profession in Nigeria with its enduring impact felt across groups and communities nationwide.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, who was represented by the Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, praised the initiative for inspiring excellence in teaching, stating that such a programme would inspire teachers and help schools strive for excellence.

Sununu stated that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, remained committed to the growing efforts to restore the dignity of the teaching profession in Nigeria as it recently developed a National Teaching Policy focused on their career path, remuneration, and teaching standards.

While congratulating the awardees for their dedication and commitment to the teaching profession, Sununu expressed government’s readiness to partner with Nigerian Breweries to deliver quality education in the country.

Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Hans Essaadi, thanked the panel of judges, led by Prof. Patrick Utomi, and expressed the company’s commitment to sustaining its efforts toward quality education in the country.

Essaadi commended Nigerian teachers for their unwavering commitment and deep desire to make a difference in their students’ lives.

He noted that teacher’s crucial roles in instilling values, knowledge, and skills in their students are instrumental to societal growth.

Corporate Affairs Director of the organisation, Mrs Sade Morgan, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving the teaching profession and ensuring the competition grows stronger every year.

Morgan said this year’s edition was remarkable as it recorded an unprecedented number of valid entries and state champions in the competition’s history.

According to her, 1,300 valid entries were recorded from 1,477 entries received, while all 37 states (including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) produced champions.