… Bank’s Edu360 platform backs 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year as part of broader push to improve education outcomes
By Rashidat O. Okunlade | Lagos
Union Bank of Nigeria has again demonstrated its longstanding commitment to improving educational outcomes for students, teachers, and young people in the communities it serves through its sponsorship of the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale.
The event, held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, marked the Bank’s third consecutive year as a partner of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition (MTOTY), now in its 12th edition.
Union Bank joined the organisers, Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, alongside sector stakeholders, to celebrate teaching excellence as the overall winner was announced.
Celebrating Nigeria’s Best Educators
Ms. Busayo Victoria Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, was named Maltina Teacher of the Year 2026 from ten finalists selected out of more than 2,000 entries nationwide.
Her prizes include: ₦10 million cash prize, a 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 Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko, congratulated the finalists and state champions and described the competition as one of the most consistent private sector commitments to the teaching profession in Nigeria, with more than 300 teachers recognised to date.
She noted that the partnership sits at the heart of Edu360, the Bank’s flagship education initiative under the UnionCares platform, which works across the full education value chain.
“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,” Mrs. Aluko 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.
Digital Learning Centre Commissioned in Abuja
Earlier in October, Union Bank was also present at the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Lugbe, Abuja.
The centre was developed 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 the support of Union Bank through its education platform, Edu360.
The facility provides computers, internet connectivity, and facilities for computer testing, to help learners build the digital skills required for higher education and prepare for examinations taken on computer, such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Examination.
The commissioning was attended by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and the school community.
Union Bank’s delegation was led by the Abuja 2 Area Business Executive, Mr. Francis Anaemene, who said:
“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.”
What To Know About Edu360
Union Bank’s support for education is anchored on Edu360, established in 2018 to strengthen education in three areas: improving access, enhancing quality, and optimising learning outcomes through partnerships across industries. The Bank’s participation aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and reflects its broader commitment to social impact and sustainable development in the communities it serves.
Why It Matters
In Nigeria, teaching is often a thankless profession. Despite being the bedrock of national development, teachers are frequently underpaid, under-resourced, and undervalued. The Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, now in its 12th edition, is a rare and vital intervention that not only rewards excellence but elevates the status of the profession.
Union Bank’s three-year partnership with the initiative demonstrates a nuanced understanding of educational philanthropy. Rather than simply donating funds, the Bank is investing in the human capital that drives the entire education system. As Mrs. Aluko aptly noted, “every other investment in education depends on the person who stands in front of the class each morning.” By celebrating and equipping teachers, Union Bank is indirectly improving outcomes for thousands of students.
The commissioning of the Digital Learning Centre in Abuja is equally significant. In an era where JAMB examinations and university admissions are increasingly computer-based, access to digital skills is no longer a luxury, it is a prerequisite for higher education. For students in underserved communities like Sauka, Lugbe, a facility that provides computers and internet connectivity could be the difference between academic success and exclusion from the digital economy.
Edu360’s holistic approach addressing access, quality, and learning outcomes reflects a maturity in corporate social responsibility. It moves beyond one-off charitable gestures to sustained, systemic interventions. As Nigeria continues to grapple with an education crisis, partnerships like this between the private sector and educational institutions are not just helpful, they are essential.
What To Know About Union Bank of Nigeria Plc
Established in 1917, Union Bank is a leading provider of financial services in Nigeria, renowned for its “Simpler, Smarter Banking” philosophy. With a nationwide network and a strong focus on digital innovation, Union Bank continues to empower individuals, businesses, and the public sector to achieve lasting success.
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