By Peace Udugba -The Daily Torch Media
Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to improving educational standards and learning outcomes through its sponsorship of the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award and support for the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre in Abuja.
The bank demonstrated its commitment at the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale, held on Friday, October 30, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Now in its third consecutive year as a partner of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, which is celebrating its 12th edition, Union Bank joined the organisers, Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, alongside other stakeholders, to celebrate outstanding educators.
At the ceremony, Ms Busayo Victoria Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, emerged as the overall winner after being selected from 10 finalists drawn from more than 2,000 entries nationwide.
She received a cash prize of ₦10 million, a new Honda SUV, an international capacity development programme and a ₦30 million infrastructure project for her school.
Speaking on behalf of Union Bank, the 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 initiatives supporting 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, the initiative focuses on the entire education value chain, with teachers playing a central role in improving learning outcomes.
“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.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund and Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Thibaut Boidin, said teachers plant seeds in the classroom that take years to bear fruit.
In a related development, Union Bank participated in the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Lugbe, Abuja, earlier in October.
The centre was established by the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in honour of the 2025 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Ms Serah Yusuf, who teaches 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 equip students with essential digital skills, support higher education and prepare them 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 said the commissioning reflected the bank’s continued support for 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 education intervention is anchored on Edu360, established in 2018 to strengthen the education sector through improved access, enhanced quality and better learning outcomes.
The bank said its participation in the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, and underscores its commitment to social impact and sustainable development in the communities it serves.
