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The Maltina Teacher of the Year (MTOTY) is not a one-off initiative but a scalable, institutionalised platform with enduring relevance, says Uzodinma Odenigbo, corporate affairs director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, noting that the competition has helped reposition teaching as a profession of dignity, impact, and aspiration in this interview with CHARLES OGWO. Excerpt:
What gap did you notice that led to the creation of the Maltina Teacher of the Year (MTOTY) competition, and how well have you filled that gap?
When the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition was launched in 2015, we identified a significant gap in how teachers were recognised and celebrated in Nigeria. Despite being central to national development and human capital formation, teachers were largely underappreciated, under-celebrated, and rarely positioned as nation-builders in the public consciousness.
Eleven years on, we can confidently say that this gap has been meaningfully addressed. To date, 305 exceptional teachers across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT have been recognised and rewarded through this initiative. MTOTY has evolved into a credible national platform that consistently elevates teacher excellence, amplifies their stories, and contributes to reshaping public perception of the teaching profession.
Beyond recognition, the programme has become a structured intervention that delivers both social and developmental value, aligning strongly with Nigerian Breweries’ commitment to long-term national development through education.
“These combined interventions contribute to improved teacher morale, enhanced student performance, and stronger community pride, reinforcing education as a critical pillar of sustainable national development.”
Eleven years down the line, can you categorically say that we are on track?
Absolutely. The longevity, consistency, and evolution of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition are clear indicators that we are firmly on track. Since inception, the programme has been delivered consistently for over a decade, maintaining credibility through a transparent and independent judging process.
Participation has continued to grow, with strong engagement from teachers and education stakeholders nationwide.
Importantly, the value proposition of the award has evolved in line with its impact. The total cash prize pool has increased from N24.75 million in 2015 to N52 million by 2025, reflecting our sustained commitment to teacher empowerment and the premium status of the award. This trajectory demonstrates that MTOTY is not a one-off initiative but a scalable, institutionalised platform with enduring relevance.
With millions of naira invested so far, what impact has the competition made on the teaching profession across Nigeria?
The impact of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition is both measurable and deeply human.
On an individual level, many winners have gone on to become education advocates, curriculum champions, mentors, and change agents within their states. Several have also received local and international recognition beyond the programme, further validating the quality and credibility of the platform.
On a systemic level, MTOTY goes beyond cash rewards. Winners benefit from international capacity-building programmes in countries such as England and Finland, returning with exposure to global best practices that strengthen teaching quality in Nigerian classrooms. In addition, the programme delivers infrastructure interventions – classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and sanitation facilities – in winning schools, creating long-term assets that improve learning environments and community outcomes.
These combined interventions contribute to improved teacher morale, enhanced student performance, and stronger community pride, reinforcing education as a critical pillar of sustainable national development.
Many Nigerian youngsters still do not fancy teaching. Has the award shifted this narrative?
Yes, and increasingly so. By celebrating teachers at state and national levels – across television, digital, and community platforms – the competition has helped reposition teaching as a profession of dignity, impact, and aspiration.
When young people see teachers receiving national recognition, meaningful financial rewards, professional development opportunities, and infrastructural support for their schools, it reframes what teaching represents. We have received feedback from schools where students now openly express interest in teaching as a career, inspired by the visibility and credibility the competition provides.
This narrative shift is essential to rebuilding Nigeria’s education pipeline and aligns with our broader sustainability objective of strengthening human capital development.
The 2025 edition came with improved cash rewards. What informed this decision?
The decision to enhance cash rewards, particularly for the first and second runners-up, was informed by two key considerations: economic realities and programme evolution.
First, we recognise the rising cost of living and the need for teacher rewards to remain meaningful. Second, the increase aligns with the historical growth of the programme – from a cash prize pool of N24.75 million at inception to N52 million today – and reinforces the premium positioning of the award.
This deliberate progression reflects our respect for teachers’ contributions and our commitment to ensuring that MTOTY remains one of the most prestigious education recognitions in Nigeria.
Besides monetary rewards, what other incentives do you provide to boost the teaching profession?
Our support for teachers extends well beyond financial rewards. MTOTY provides international capacity-building opportunities, exposing winners to global teaching standards; national visibility and recognition, which often accelerates career progression; school infrastructure projects, improving teaching and learning environments; and professional credibility, positioning winners as leaders within the education ecosystem.
These non-monetary incentives are critical to long-term impact and ensure that the benefits of the programme extend beyond individual winners to entire school communities.
Nigerian teachers are often described as underpaid and undervalued. Why do you think this persists?
This challenge is multi-layered. Historically, education has not always received the level of prioritisation required in terms of funding, policy execution, and long-term planning.
Societal undervaluation of the teaching profession has further compounded the issue.
Initiatives like the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition are designed to challenge this narrative by spotlighting excellence, advocating for recognition, and demonstrating, through tangible investment, that teachers are skilled professionals whose contributions are fundamental to national progress.
Many Nigerians are unsure how winners are selected. What criteria are used?
The integrity of the MTOTY competition is paramount. Winners are selected through a rigorous, transparent, and independent process anchored on global teaching standards.
Assessment criteria include subject mastery, teaching innovation, classroom leadership, impact on student performance, community engagement, and commitment to continuous professional development. The process involves written submissions, documentation reviews, and physical assessments, ensuring that recognition is based purely on merit.
What are your projections for the future of the competition?
Our long-term vision is to scale MTOTY into the most impactful teacher empowerment platform in Africa. Future plans include deeper teacher capacity-building initiatives, stronger partnerships with state governments, and expanded infrastructure support for schools.
Ultimately, we aim to build a national movement where teacher excellence is celebrated consistently and where education remains central to Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda.
What is your message to Nigerian teachers and students, especially in areas affected by insecurity?
To Nigerian teachers, particularly those working under challenging and insecure conditions, we extend profound respect. Your resilience sustains hope and opportunity for millions of children, even in the most difficult circumstances.
To students, we encourage perseverance in learning, regardless of the environment. Your future is worth the effort, and your teachers are deeply invested in your success. As an organisation, Nigerian Breweries remains committed to supporting education nationwide and advocating for safe, enabling learning environments for every child.
