Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to educational development and improved learning outcomes with the recognition of outstanding educators at the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale and the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre in Abuja.
The 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale, held on Friday, October 30, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together education stakeholders, industry leaders and representatives of the private sector to celebrate excellence in the teaching profession.
Union Bank, which is partnering with the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition for the third consecutive year, joined Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to celebrate outstanding educators at the 12th edition of the prestigious initiative.
Ms Busayo Victoria Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 edition. She was selected from ten finalists shortlisted from more than 2,000 entries received nationwide.
Her prizes include a ₦10 million cash award, a brand-new Honda SUV, an international capacity development programme and a ₦30 million infrastructure project for her school.
Speaking on behalf of Union Bank at the grand finale, the Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs Olufunmilola Aluko, congratulated the finalists and state champions, describing the competition as one of the most consistent private-sector commitments to advancing the teaching profession in Nigeria.
She noted that more than 300 teachers had been recognised through the initiative, adding that the partnership aligns with Edu360, the Bank’s flagship education initiative under its UnionCares platform.
According to her, Edu360 addresses the entire education value chain, with teachers remaining central to efforts aimed at improving educational standards.
“Teachers remain at the centre of that work, because every other investment in education depends on the person who stands in front of the class each morning,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund and Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Thibaut Boidin, emphasised the lasting impact of teachers on society, noting that the seeds they plant in classrooms often take years to bear fruit.
In a related development, Union Bank participated earlier in October in the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Lugbe, Abuja.
The facility was developed by the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in honour of Ms Serah Yusuf, the 2025 Maltina Teacher of the Year and a teacher at the school, with support from Union Bank through its Edu360 education platform.
Equipped with computers, internet connectivity and computer-based testing facilities, the centre is designed to strengthen students’ digital literacy, improve access to technology-driven learning and prepare learners for computer-based examinations, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
The commissioning ceremony attracted representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and members of the school community.
Union Bank’s delegation was led by its Abuja 2 Area Business Executive, Mr Francis Anaemene, who expressed satisfaction with the successful delivery of the project and the Bank’s continued partnership with the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative.
“Union Bank is delighted to witness today’s fruition of our support for the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative for the third year running. The achievement of Ms Serah Yusuf, the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2025 national winner, is a testament to her school’s culture of excellence, and today’s commissioning is a fitting celebration of it,” he said.
Union Bank’s educational interventions are anchored on Edu360, an initiative established in 2018 to strengthen the education sector through three key priorities: improving access, enhancing quality and optimising learning outcomes.
Through strategic partnerships across different sectors, the Bank continues to support initiatives that promote inclusive education, empower teachers and equip young people with relevant skills for the future.
The Bank’s commitment also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
With its continued investment in teacher recognition, digital infrastructure and improved learning opportunities, Union Bank is reinforcing its role in supporting sustainable educational development across Nigeria.
