Union Bank, Partners Reward Outstanding Teachers, Commission Digital Learning Centre in Abuja
Union Bank of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to improving educational standards in the country, recognising outstanding teachers and supporting the development of digital learning infrastructure in schools.
The bank demonstrated its commitment through its sponsorship of the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award Grand Finale, where teachers from across the country were celebrated for their contributions to the education sector.
The event, held on Friday, October 30, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, was organised by Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, with Union Bank participating for the third consecutive year as a partner.
At the ceremony, Ms Busayo Victoria Adeyemo of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos, emerged as the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year.
Adeyemo was selected from 10 finalists shortlisted from more than 2,000 entries received nationwide.
She received a cash prize of N10 million, a new Honda Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), an international capacity development programme and a N30 million infrastructure project for her school.
Speaking on behalf of Union Bank, its Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs Olufunmilola Aluko, congratulated the winner, 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 since its inception, adding that the bank’s participation was central to its Edu360 programme, its flagship education initiative under the UnionCares platform.
According to her, the programme is designed to support different aspects of the education value chain, with teachers playing a critical role in determining the quality of learning outcomes.
“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 said.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund and Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Thibaut Boidin, also underscored the importance of teachers in national development, noting that their contributions often produce results long after lessons have been delivered.
Beyond recognising teaching excellence, Union Bank also supported the development of digital learning infrastructure through its participation in the commissioning of a Digital Learning Centre at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Sauka, Lugbe, Abuja.
The centre, commissioned in October, 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 initiative.
Equipped with computers, internet connectivity and computer-based testing facilities, the centre is expected to improve students’ access to digital learning resources, strengthen their computer skills and prepare them for technology-driven examinations, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
The facility is particularly significant as computer-based testing becomes increasingly important in Nigeria’s education system, requiring students to acquire adequate digital literacy and familiarity with computer-based examination platforms.
The commissioning ceremony attracted representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and members of the school community.
Union Bank’s delegation was led by its Abuja 2 Area Business Executive, Mr Francis Anaemene, who described the project as a practical demonstration of the benefits of sustained collaboration between the private sector and education stakeholders.
He said the commissioning represented the fruition of the bank’s support for the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative over the past three years.
“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.
Union Bank’s education intervention is anchored on Edu360, an initiative established in 2018 to strengthen the country’s education sector through improved access, enhanced quality and better learning outcomes.
The programme pursues these objectives through partnerships with organisations and stakeholders across different industries, supporting interventions intended to address challenges within the education value chain.
The bank said its participation in the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative and the development of the digital learning centre aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Established in 1917, Union Bank provides financial services to individuals, businesses and public-sector organisations through a nationwide network of more than 300 branches, alongside digital banking channels.
Its continued investment in education reflects the growing role of private-sector partnerships in supporting teachers, improving school infrastructure and equipping young Nigerians with the skills required to participate effectively in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
