Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to improving educational outcomes through its sponsorship of the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event, which took place on Friday, October 30, marked the third consecutive year of the bank’s partnership with the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, now in its 12th edition.
The bank joined the organisers, Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, alongside other education sector stakeholders, to celebrate outstanding teachers and recognise their contributions to national development.
At the ceremony, Ms Busayo Victoria Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, emerged as the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year.
Adeyemo was selected from 10 finalists shortlisted from more than 2,000 entries received nationwide.
Her prizes include ₦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.
Aluko said the bank’s partnership with the competition was central to Edu360, its flagship education initiative under the UnionCares platform, which supports different aspects of the 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,” 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, said teachers played a crucial role in shaping the future, noting that the impact of their work often took years to become evident.
The bank’s support for the initiative also extended to the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Lugbe, Abuja, earlier in October.
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 support from Union Bank through its Edu360 platform.
Equipped with computers, internet connectivity and computer-based testing facilities, the centre is designed to help students develop digital skills needed for higher education and prepare for examinations conducted electronically, 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 described the project as a demonstration of 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,” Anaemene said.
Union Bank’s education intervention is anchored on Edu360, established in 2018 to strengthen the sector through improved access, enhanced quality and better learning outcomes.
The initiative works through partnerships across different industries and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education.
The bank said its continued investment in education reflects its broader commitment to social impact and sustainable development in the communities it serves.
About Union Bank of Nigeria Plc
Established in 1917, Union Bank of Nigeria is a financial services provider with a nationwide presence and a focus on digital innovation.
Operating under its “Simpler, Smarter Banking” philosophy, the bank provides services to individual and corporate customers, including savings and current accounts, funds transfers, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing and trade finance.
It also offers electronic banking services through online and mobile banking platforms, debit cards, automated teller machines and point-of-sale systems.
The bank has a network of more than 300 branches across Nigeria.
