Nigerian Breweries Plc yesterday flagged off the 11th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition in Lagos.

The event, which drew key stakeholders from the education sector, corporate partners, and the media, marked the beginning of another cycle of the yearly initiative aimed at recognising and rewarding exceptional teachers across the country.

The competition, sponsored by the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, has grown since its inception in 2015 into one of the most recognised platforms promoting quality education and rewarding exceptional teachers in Nigeria.

This year’s edition, which runs till August 22, invites entries from eligible secondary school teachers nationwide via www.maltinateacheroftheyear.com.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NB Plc, Hans Essaadi, disclosed that over 278 teachers have been celebrated, and nine grand prize winners have emerged since the competition began.

Essaadi, who was represented by the Corporate Affairs Director, Uzodinma Odenigbo, said the initiative has gone beyond individual rewards to include donations of school infrastructure across over 75 communities, and international capacity-building programmes for winners in institutions such as the University of Manchester and Tampere University, in Finland.

“In these challenging times, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the education sector,” Odenigbo said, acknowledging the support of partners including Union Bank Plc, Air Peace, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB), as well as the Federal and state Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), and All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).

Marketing Director, Sarah Agha, said the initiative is deeply rooted in Maltina’s brand philosophy of “nourishing lives and sharing happiness.”

“Teachers are our quiet heroes,” Agha remarked. “This competition is more than CSR, it is a heartfelt expression of our gratitude, purpose, and the belief that every great teacher deserves to be seen, celebrated, and empowered.”

Agha also highlighted how past winners have become national role models, leading transformative community projects, earning global recognition, and helping to redefine the perception of teaching as a noble and impactful profession.

In his overview, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager, Oluseye Olokun, disclosed that since 2015, when the competition started, over 9,000 entries have been received, with more than 6,000 validated.

He added that the platform not only honours excellence but also drives educational development at the grassroots.

The competition’s grand prize currently stands at ₦10 million for the national winner, with ₦3 million and ₦2.5 million for the first and second runners-up, respectively.

In his goodwill message, Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Akintoye Hassan, praised Nigerian Breweries for its consistency and advocacy, stating that the initiative has helped raise the status of teachers both nationally and globally.

He, however, urged the organisers to consider extending eligibility to include primary school teachers, for their critical role in foundational learning.