Education
Lagos Teacher, Adeola Adefemi Emerges 2023 Maltina Teacher of the Year

…Wins N6.5 million Grand Cash Prize, Overseas Capacity Training
Adeola Adedunke Adefemi of Keke Senior High School, Agege, Lagos has emerged the winner of the 9th edition of the coveted Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition at the Grand Finale held in Lagos on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Adefemi, having emerged as the winner, received a total cash prize of N6.5 million. Additionally, she will be rewarded with an all-expense paid capacity development training in the UK, and the Fund will also build either a fully equipped computer laboratory or a six-classroom block worth N20 million for her school in her honour.
Azuh Chike of Ezemu Girls Grammar School, Delta State emerged as the first runner-up, with a total cash prize of N1.5 million while Adam Abdulqadir Ndi of Model Science College, Niger State, emerged as the second runner-up, with N1.25 million cash prize. In addition, 27 other teachers who emerged as state champions from their respective states received N500,000.00 each.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, disclosed that there are growing national efforts to bring back the glory days of teachers in Nigeria. He noted that the new national teaching policy developed by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with education stakeholders addresses the career path, remuneration, teaching standards, qualification, capacity development and other vital issues to revitalise the teaching profession.
Sununu said, “Education is our collective responsibility, and its failure can be taken as the failure of the entire country. It is based on this that the Federal Ministry of Education recognises and commends the efforts of Nigeria Breweries Plc-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to celebrate outstanding teachers across Nigeria.”
Delivering the special remarks on behalf of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, lauded Nigerian Breweries Plc for its significant contributions towards making the teaching profession an enviable one amidst the low morale. He noted that the Lagos State government appreciates the significance of such competition in improving the quality of teaching and students’ performance.
“As a government, we are proud to identify with this Award because it resonates with our teacher’s welfare programme. We appreciate that teachers are at the heart of successful learning, so we introduced the EKOEXCEL TRAINING to support and empower them and impact pupil and teacher success”, he said.
The Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan in her remarks, expressed deep gratitude to all valued stakeholders and partners for their immense support for the competition, particularly the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for providing the company with access to its database of verified and registered teachers as well as providing the teachers with adequate information about the competition. and requirements for the application process.
Morgan disclosed that the number of entries for this year’s edition of the competition was unprecedented as it witnessed the highest number of entries ever, with a record-breaking 1,499 entries from all 36 federation states, including the Federal Capital Territory. “We received an impressive 1,203 valid entries, the second-highest number we have received since the competition’s inception,” she said.
In his keynote address, the Chairman Board of Directors, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Asue Ighodalo, said that the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition provides the rare opportunity to recognise the magnificent roles of teachers and to do more in support of those individuals who take pride in this noble profession. He added that the company’s investment in the competition through Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund aims to advance the quality of education at all levels in Nigeria.
“Through the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, now in its 9th edition, we have been able to uplift the nobility of the profession by successfully recognising a total of 211 State Champions, 8 National Champions, and equipping eight schools with educational facilities such as blocks of classrooms, an auditorium, computer laboratories, and a library. It is certain that at the end of today, another star will be born as an outstanding teacher deserving of the title “Maltina Teacher of the Year”, Ighodalo stated.
Since its inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative has produced nine grand winners: Rose Nkemdilim Obi (2015), Imoh Essien (2016), Felix Ariguzo (2017), Olasunkanmi Opeifa (2018), Ezem Collins (2019), Oluwabunmi Anani (2020), Abanika Taiye (2021), Alaku Ayiwulu ( 2022).
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ABOUT MALTINA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
In 2015, Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund introduced the Maltina Teacher of the Year, a national competition to identify, honour and reward outstanding teachers in Nigeria.
Maltina Teacher of the Year is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in education, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
ABOUT NIGERIAN BREWERIES-FELIX OHIWEREI EDUCATION TRUST FUND
The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund was set up in 1994 with a startup capital of 100 million Naira to enable sustained quality education through structured intervention.
The Fund has footprints across the six geographical zones in Nigeria at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Through the Fund, NB Plc has constructed and furnished over 400 classrooms, sanitary facilities and libraries in 74 communities nationwide. The Fund has also granted scholarships to deserving students in tertiary institutions.
ABOUT NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC
Nigerian Breweries Plc, incorporated in 1946, is Nigeria’s pioneer and largest brewing company. With 23 malt and beer brands within its portfolio, it serves the Nigerian market and exports to other parts of West Africa. Nigerian Breweries Plc, driven by the corporate philosophy of “Winning with Nigeria”, has continued to take an increasingly active role in supporting education, among our other CSR focus areas.
Education
Kano Govt. insists schools remain closed till April 6

The Kano State Government has directed all private and voluntary schools in the state to strictly adhere to the 2024/25 school calendar issued by the Ministry of Education.
The Director of Special Duties, Ministry of Education, Mustapha Yahya, made this known in a statement on Thursday and obtained by PUNCH.
“All primary and post-primary schools in Kano state must close on Friday, February 28, 2025, and reopen on Sunday, April 6, 2025,” it reads.
The statement further warned that any school that fails to comply will face penalties. “Schools that fail to comply with this directive will face appropriate sanctions,” it stated.
He said the directive aligns with the state government’s policy under Governor Abba Yusuf to enhance teaching and learning while ensuring balanced and sustainable school operations.
“This measure is to ensure improved teaching and learning while promoting balanced and sustainable growth in schools across the state,” the statement added.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to providing high-quality education and enforcing adherence to the approved calendar.
Education
Tinubu approves conversion of YABATECH to university

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa yesterday disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to a university.
He broke the good news to the management, staff and students of the 78-year-old institution during a working visit to YABATECH.
His words: “The rector said some minutes ago that the management, staff and students of the college have been praying and fasting that it be converted to a university. Somehow, you have kind of ambush me, but I must let you know that when I discussed the issue with President Bola Tinubu, he did not waste time in giving approval. I am just waiting for the memo and other necessary protocols from the appropriate quarters.
“This school is a legacy and with over 200 staff members holding doctorate degrees in various fields, it is more than ready and fit to become a university. All the credit about this should go to the President, who loves education and is concerned about giving the best to the youths, who are our future leaders.”
The education minister Alausa went round the institution to commission and inspect some ongoing projects, expressed satisfaction with the maintenance culture of the management that has kept the facilities in good shape despite their age.
He commended YABATECH management for pursuing excellence, adding, “we need innovation and investments in technology for development and I can assure you that the federal government will back you up.”
Alausa observed that one of the reasons the Tinubu administration is focusing on technical and vocational education as well as entrepreneurship is to stem the “Japa Syndrome” among the youths.
Said he: “We are not taking the issue of Artificial Intelligence, robotics, coding and others with levity. We know that if our youths are good at those things, they can be in Nigeria and be working for firms in many parts of the world and they will be earning foreign exchange. That will help stem this “Japa syndrome” of a thing, where people would travel abroad to do menial jobs.”
The minister said that for over three decades, Nigeria abandoned technical and vocational education and focused on producing graduates, who are always after white collar jobs and that now, the focus has changed.
“In Europe and other places, the focus has been on incorporating TVET to become a core aspect of their education system and that is what we are doing now. We need education that would aid manufacturing and technological innovations and that will also lead to a robust private sector which will drive societal growth and development, ” Alausa stated.
In his remarks, the Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said with over 200 PhD holders in its services, YABATECH was more than qualified to become a university.
He added: “While we are praying that we become a university, we don’t want to become just one of those universities. We want to be a university of Technical and Vocational Education that would bring innovation and also solve societal problems and challenges and contribute greatly to the advancement of our country. We have the manpower and we just need the support of the government in this regard,” the rector noted.
He highlighted various achievements recorded under his administration and vowed that the management would not relent in raising the stakes higher.
The Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Funso Afolabi, lauded the education minister for the visit and appealed to him in supporting their demands.
“The bill that would state the change in status of YABATECH and the new name it would bear is expected to be sent to the National Assembly for passage and presidential assent,” Afolabi stated.
Education
FG makes U-turn on proposed scrapping of JSS, SSS system of education

Federal Government has made a U-turn on the proposed scrapping of the Junior and senior secondary school system replacing it with 12 years compulsory education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, on Friday, that policy is at the proposal level and final decision has not been taken on the matter.
It was reported on Friday that the National Council of Education (NCE) has approved the scrapping of senior secondary system of education.
More details later..
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