Teachers across Nigeria now have another opportunity to gain national recognition as Nigerian Breweries Plc has opened entries for the 2026 edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year (MToY) competition, with a brand-new Honda HR-V added to the grand prize package.
The company announced that entries are now being accepted from eligible teachers in public and private secondary schools nationwide for the annual award, which celebrates excellence, dedication and impact in the teaching profession.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Uzo Odenigbo, described the initiative as one of the company’s most enduring investments in education, noting that the programme has continued to elevate the status of teachers and encourage professional excellence over the past 12 years.
In a major upgrade to this year’s competition, the overall winner will receive a Honda HR-V alongside the traditional ₦10 million cash prize. The winner will also be presented with a plaque, certificate and an all-expenses-paid capacity development training programme. In addition, the winner’s school will benefit from a ₦30 million educational project.
The first and second runners-up will receive ₦5 million and ₦3 million respectively, while state champions will go home with ₦1 million each.
Odenigbo noted that the initiative, funded through the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, remains free for all participants and has become a platform for rewarding outstanding educators whose contributions often go unnoticed.
He also expressed concern over the rising insecurity affecting schools across the country, particularly incidents of student and teacher abductions, while calling for the safe return of victims still in captivity.
Providing details on the application process, the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Mr. Oluseye Ologun, said interested teachers must be registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and must not be above 55 years of age.
According to him, the competition has recognised more than 300 state champions and produced 11 national winners since its inception.
Applications opened on June 5 and will close on August 7, 2026. Eligible teachers can submit their entries physically or through the competition’s online portal.
The 2025 edition was won by Yusuf Serah of Wisdom International School of Excellence, Abuja.
Stakeholders including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) commended the initiative, describing investment in teachers as a critical step towards strengthening human capital development and improving educational outcomes in Nigeria.
The 2026 winner will be announced at the grand finale scheduled for October 30
