In an inspiring achievement, Esomnofu Chidiebube Ifechukwu from Crown Grace School in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, has been crowned the winner of the 10th edition of the prestigious Maltina Teacher of the Year competition. The grand finale took place in Lagos, showcasing the incredible talents of educators across the nation.
Esomnofu Chidiebube Ifechukwu will take home a cash prize of N10 million, a testament to his dedication and excellence in teaching. “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition,” he expressed, highlighting the importance of education in shaping future generations. Alongside the cash prize, he will also benefit from an all-expense-paid capacity development training abroad, aimed at enhancing his professional skills.
In a significant gesture to honor his achievement, Crown Grace School will receive either a fully equipped computer laboratory or a six-classroom block, valued at N20 million. This initiative underscores the commitment to improving educational infrastructure in schools.
The competition also recognized other outstanding educators. Kehinde Oladapo Olukayode from Molusi College, Oke Sopen, Ijebu Igbo, emerged as the first runner-up, receiving a N3 million prize. The second runner-up was Aniefiok Iniobong Udoh from Community Secondary Commercial School in Ikot Oku Ikono, Akwa Ibom State.
From an initial pool of 1,477 entries, 1,300 teachers successfully advanced to the first grading. Ultimately, 136 teachers made it to the second phase grading, culminating in the selection of the final 11 candidates by a dedicated panel of judges.
This year’s Maltina Teacher of the Year competition not only celebrates exceptional teaching but also emphasizes the vital role educators play in transforming lives and communities.