Thirty-one-year-old Yusuf Serah of Wisdom International School of Excellence, Abuja, has been named the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2025. She was announced as the winner of the N10 million grand prize at the finale of the 11th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, held in Lagos on Friday night.
The Prof. Pat Utomi-led panel of judges recognised Yusuf, an English and Literature teacher, as the top performer among ten finalists. In addition to the cash prize, she received a trophy, infrastructure projects worth N30 million for her school, and the opportunity for capacity development training abroad. The Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund launched the call for entries for this year’s competition in July.
In an exclusive interview, Yusuf credited her victory to “self-development, focus, diligence, resilience, dedication, mentorship, collaboration and the grace of God.” She said, “Initially, I was shocked and didn’t see it coming, even though many people encouraged me. I prayed in my heart that God should bring it to pass. Even though I did my best during the interview, I knew it was pure grace for me to be announced as the winner. I see this as preparation meeting opportunity; with God’s grace and good mentorship, success is at hand.”
Yusuf added that the N10 million prize would enable her to continue empowering underprivileged children in underserved communities. She plans to support children in slums, assist parents who cannot afford school fees and uniforms, distribute sanitary pads to improve menstrual hygiene for girls, and embark on community and school-based projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
With her win, Yusuf joins a distinguished line of past winners, including Mrs Rose Obi (Anambra, 2015), Mr Imoh Essien (Akwa Ibom, 2016), Mr Ariguzo Udochukwu (Delta, 2017), Mr Olasunkanmi Opeifa (Abuja, 2018), Mr Ezem (Abuja, 2019), Mrs Oluwabunmi Anani (Adamawa, 2020), Mr Abanike Taiye (Delta, 2021), Mr Ayiwulu Alaku (Plateau, 2022), Ms Adeola Adefemi (Lagos, 2023), and Mr Esomnofu Chidiebube (Nasarawa, 2024).
At the event, Akinselure Adeola of Omole Senior Grammar School, Lagos, was the first runner-up, winning N5 million, while Amarikwa Chibuzor of Deeper Life High School, Yola Campus, Adamawa State, placed second with N3 million. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare, capacity, and professionalism of teachers. Prof. Utomi called for more initiatives like the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, highlighting the role of teachers as heroes in classrooms.
Delivering the keynote address, 11-year-old Ayomide Avoseh, a beneficiary of the Slum2School Learner Initiative from Makoko, Lagos, stressed the need for greater investment in teachers, saying, “We need to invest in teachers. Teachers need support. The future of Nigeria is in classrooms; the strength of Nigeria resides in teachers. We also need safe schools, as education should be a right, not a privilege.”
Thibaut Boidin, Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, described teachers as the nation’s true wealth, urging them to continue “lighting the way for others.” The Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr Uzodinma Odenigbo, revealed that over 2,000 applications were received this year, marking a 30 per cent increase from the previous edition and reflecting the growing recognition of the award.
Notable attendees included Mrs Ronke Soyombo, Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, and representatives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu: Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mrs Kaosarat Ambrose-Medebem, and Commissioner for Basic Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun.
Launched in 2015 by Nigerian Breweries through its Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, the Maltina Teacher of the Year award recognises exceptional secondary school teachers across Nigeria. The initiative promotes educational excellence, boosts teacher morale, and provides support through cash prizes, overseas training, and school infrastructure projects. Backed by key educational stakeholders—including the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and the Teachers Registration Council—the program now includes both public and private schools nationwide.
