Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to educational development and improved learning outcomes with the recognition of outstanding educators at the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale and the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre in Abuja.
The bank demonstrated its commitment through its sponsorship of the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale, held on Friday, October 30, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Now in its third consecutive year of partnership with the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, which is celebrating its 12th edition, Union Bank joined Nigerian Breweries Plc, the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund and other education stakeholders to celebrate excellence in the teaching profession.
At the grand finale, Ms Busayo Victoria Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, emerged as the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2026.
Adeyemo emerged from a pool of more than 2,000 entries nationwide, with ten finalists making it to the final stage of the competition.
As the overall winner, she received a cash prize of ₦10 million, a brand-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, stressing that the partnership aligns with Edu360, the bank’s flagship education initiative under its UnionCares platform.
According to her, Edu360 is designed to support the entire education value chain, with teachers playing a central role in achieving meaningful improvements in the sector.
“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,” Aluko stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund and Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Thibaut Boidin, highlighted the enduring contributions of teachers to national development, noting that the seeds planted in classrooms often take years to produce meaningful results.
Digital Learning Centre Commissioned in Abuja
In a related development, Union Bank participated in the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Lugbe, Abuja, earlier in October.
The facility was developed by the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in honour of Ms Serah Yusuf, the 2025 Maltina Teacher of the Year and a teacher at the school, with support from Union Bank through its Edu360 education platform.
The centre is equipped with computers, internet connectivity and facilities for computer-based testing, providing students with opportunities to develop essential digital skills, prepare for higher education and gain familiarity with computer-based examinations, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
The commissioning ceremony attracted representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Teachers and members of the school community.
Leading the Union Bank delegation, the Abuja 2 Area Business Executive, Mr Francis Anaemene, expressed satisfaction with the impact of the bank’s continued partnership with 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.
Commitment to Educational Development
Union Bank’s educational interventions are driven by Edu360, an initiative established in 2018 to strengthen the education sector through three key areas: improving access to education, enhancing educational quality and optimising learning outcomes.
Through strategic partnerships across different industries, the initiative seeks to address critical challenges within the education value chain while creating opportunities for students, teachers and educational institutions.
The bank’s commitment also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The bank said its continued investment in educational initiatives reflects its broader commitment to social impact, sustainable development and the communities it serves.
About Union Bank of Nigeria Plc
Established in 1917, Union Bank of Nigeria is a financial services provider committed to delivering simpler and smarter banking solutions to individuals, businesses and the public sector.
With a nationwide network of more than 300 branches, the bank provides a wide range of financial services, including current and savings accounts, deposits, funds transfers, foreign currency domiciliation, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing and trade finance.
It also offers electronic banking services through online and mobile banking platforms, debit cards, automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
