Esomnofu Chidiebube Ifechukwu, a teacher from Crown Grace School in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, has emerged as the winner of the 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year (MToY) Award. His victory was announced at the grand finale held on Friday at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
Ifechukwu is the first teacher from Nasarawa State to win the prestigious award since its inception 10 years ago. He triumphed over 1,476 other teachers from across the country who participated in this year’s competition.
As part of his prize, Ifechukwu received a cash award of ₦10 million, a gold trophy, an all-expenses-paid short course abroad, and a ₦20 million block of classrooms or laboratory for his school.
This year’s award prizes were increased to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the competition, with the first and second runners-up—Kehinde Oladapo Olukayode from Ogun State and Aniefiok Iniobong Udoh from Akwa Ibom State—receiving ₦3 million and ₦2.5 million respectively.
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Additionally, all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory produced state champions for the first time in the competition’s history, with state winners receiving ₦1 million each.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun), the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu (represented by Yaba College of Technology’s Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul), and notable figures such as Prof. Patrick Utomi.
The Maltina Teacher of the Year Award is an initiative of Nigerian Breweries Plc, organized through the NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund.
It is designed to recognize, celebrate, and reward outstanding teachers in public and private secondary schools nationwide. Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Nigerian Breweries for instituting the competition, highlighting its positive impact on the education sector and the economy.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Education lauded the initiative as a lasting investment in Nigeria’s future.
Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, thanked the panel of judges, led by Prof. Patrick Utomi, and expressed the company’s commitment to sustaining its efforts toward quality education in Nigeria.
Corporate Affairs Director Mrs. Sade Morgan reaffirmed the company’s dedication to improving the teaching profession and ensuring the competition grows stronger every year.