The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has stepped up its investment in human capital development, unveiling an expanded reward package worth more than N40 million as it opened entries for the 12th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition.
The competition, which runs from June 3 to August 7, 2026, reflects growing corporate investment in human capital development at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with declining education quality, inadequate school infrastructure and persistent teacher shortages.
Speaking during the launch in Lagos, Uaboi Agbebaku, secretary of the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, described the initiative as a strategic platform for recognising teachers whose innovation and commitment continue to strengthen Nigeria’s education system.
Agbebaku also disclosed that more organisations have expressed interest in supporting this year’s competition, prompting the Trust Fund to formally open partnership opportunities to institutions that share its vision of improving educational outcomes through collaborative investment.
For the 2026 edition, the overall winner will receive a N10 million cash prize, a brand-new Honda HR-V, a year’s supply of Maltina and an overseas capacity development programme. In addition, the winner’s school will benefit from an infrastructure project valued at N30 million.
The first and second runners-up will receive N5 million and N3 million respectively, while winners from each state will receive N1 million and recognition plaques.
Uzodinma Odenigbo, public relations officer of the Trust Fund, said the initiative remains one of Nigerian Breweries’ flagship education interventions designed to improve teaching standards and encourage excellence within the profession.
“Through this initiative, we continue to celebrate teachers who go beyond the classroom to inspire excellence, nurture future leaders and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Odenigbo said.
He added that investing in teachers represents an investment in Nigeria’s future, reaffirming the company’s long-standing commitment to strengthening education through sustainable interventions.
The programme has continued to attract support from corporate partners including Honda Automobile West Africa Limited, Union Bank Plc and Air Peace, whose contributions have helped sustain the competition over the years.
Education stakeholders who participated in a panel discussion at the event argued that while private sector initiatives have become increasingly important, government investment remains indispensable in reversing the decline in public education.
Adaobi Ekwuno, Lagos State coordinator of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), called on governments at all levels to prioritise investment in school infrastructure and learning facilities to improve teaching effectiveness.
Gbenga Ayetoba, secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos chapter, said the teaching profession has suffered decades of neglect, stressing the need to reposition education as a national development priority.
Olushola Masheyi, president of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), Lagos State chapter, warned that teaching is increasingly failing to attract top talent, a trend he said has contributed to declining educational quality across the country.
According to him, addressing the sector’s challenges will require coordinated efforts involving government, the private sector and development partners rather than relying solely on public funding.
Guest speaker Azeez Saheed also advocated stronger recognition and incentives for teachers, noting that improved welfare and professional development would ultimately translate into better learning outcomes for students.
Established in 2015 under the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition was created to identify, honour and reward exceptional secondary school teachers across Nigeria.
The Trust Fund itself, founded in 1994 with an initial capital of N100 million, has expanded its footprint across the country’s six geopolitical zones through classroom construction, libraries, sanitation projects and tertiary scholarships. According to the Trust Fund, it has delivered more than 400 classrooms and educational facilities in 74 communities nationwide.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education and is endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools.
