UNION BANK REAFFIRMS EDUCATION COMMITMENT AS MALTINA TEACHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION OPENS 12TH EDITION

UNION BANK REAFFIRMS EDUCATION COMMITMENT AS MALTINA TEACHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION OPENS 12TH EDITION
By Prince Benson Davies

Union Bank of Nigeria restated its support for Nigerian teachers and the broader education sector as the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition began its 12th edition in Lagos. The flag-off event brought together Nigerian Breweries Plc, the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, education stakeholders and teachers to discuss how stronger support systems can improve teaching quality and student performance.

This marks the third year running that Union Bank has partnered on the initiative. At a panel session during the ceremony, the bank joined other stakeholders to examine practical ways the private sector can contribute to learning outcomes beyond financial donations.

Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer at Union Bank, spoke on behalf of the bank and described education as central to the institution’s long-term purpose. She said teachers and learners should be treated as a priority investment, not an afterthought. According to her, when a country neglects its teachers and students, it limits its own future growth, and Union Bank is focused on building sustainable futures instead.

Aluko explained that the bank’s commitment is delivered through Edu360, its education-focused initiative under the UnionCares platform. She said Edu360 was designed to cover different areas of the education value chain. This includes expanding access to learning for children in underserved communities, supporting teachers with resources that improve classroom impact, promoting digital literacy and STEM skills, and preparing young people for work or entrepreneurship after school.

She also challenged financial institutions to change how they engage with education. Rather than limiting involvement to occasional donations, she urged banks to act as ecosystem builders. This, she said, means integrating financial literacy into school curricula, creating savings products that help parents plan for education costs, and working consistently with government, teachers and other private sector players around common goals. She emphasized that real impact comes from sustained presence, not one-off brand activities.

Referencing the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, Aluko noted that the programme has created a strong example of consistency in education support. With twelve editions completed and more than three hundred teachers recognized so far, the competition’s large grand prize and long-term structure show what is possible when institutions commit at scale. She said this aligns with Union Bank’s approach through Edu360, which prioritizes long-term engagement over short-term visibility.

She concluded by addressing teachers directly, acknowledging the importance of their work and encouraging them to see their contributions as vital to national progress. She said teachers’ stories need wider recognition and that Nigeria benefits when their efforts are celebrated and supported.

Union Bank’s continued involvement in MTOTY aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on inclusive and quality education. The bank says the partnership reflects its broader strategy of driving social impact and sustainable development in the communities where it operates.