31-year-old wins N10m Maltina best teacher award

Yusuf Serah, a 31-year-old English and Literature teacher at Wisdom International School of Excellence, Abuja, has emerged the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2025, winning the N10 million grand prize.

She was crowned winner at the grand finale of the 11th edition of the competition, held Friday night in Lagos.

A panel of judges chaired by Prof. Pat Utomi selected Yusuf as the overall best among 10 national finalists.

Her prize includes a trophy, N30 million worth of infrastructure projects for her school, and an international capacity-building programme.

Speaking after her win, Yusuf said the achievement resulted from “self-development, focus, diligence, resilience, dedication, mentorship, collaboration and the grace of God.”

She described her victory as a meeting point of “preparation and opportunity,” noting that the prize money would boost her ongoing work with underprivileged children in underserved communities, support girls’ hygiene projects, and expand education-focused initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The competition, launched by the Nigerian Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, attracted over 2,000 entries this year—more than 30 percent higher than the previous edition.

At the event, Akinseleure Adeola of Omole Senior Grammar School, Lagos, emerged first runner-up with a prize of N5 million, while Amarikwa Chibuzor of Deeper Life High School, Yola, finished third and won N3 million.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening teacher welfare and professionalism.

Utomi, in his remarks, urged more initiatives that celebrate teachers as national heroes.

Delivering the keynote address, 11-year-old Ayomide Avoseh of the Slum2School Initiative called for increased investment in teachers and safe learning environments, noting that the future of Nigeria “resides in its classrooms.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Breweries–Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, Thibaut Boidin, described teachers as the “true wealth of the nation,” while Corporate Affairs Director, Uzodinma Odenigbo, said the surge in entries shows the growing acceptance of the award.

Dignitaries included the Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, and representatives of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Established in 2015, the Maltina Teacher of the Year award recognises outstanding secondary school teachers nationwide and provides cash rewards, overseas training, and school infrastructure support.