An Akwa Ibom-based teacher, Mr Ephraim Jacob Inyangudo, has earned national recognition after emerging second runner-up in the 2026 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition.
Inyangudo, who teaches at Comprehensive Secondary School, Ediene, in Abak Local Government Area, secured the third position at the national competition, placing him among Nigeria’s outstanding educators recognised for excellence in the teaching profession.
His achievement was announced at the grand finale of the competition held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, where leading figures from the education and corporate sectors gathered to celebrate outstanding teachers.
The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, attended the ceremony alongside other dignitaries and commended Inyangudo for his dedication, hard work and commitment to developing young minds.
Umoh described the recognition as a well-deserved reward for the teacher’s contribution to education, noting that his performance had brought honour to Akwa Ibom State.
The achievement also places the spotlight on teachers in public schools, whose contributions to educational development often extend beyond classroom instruction to mentoring, character formation and preparing young people for future responsibilities.
The state government, through its ARISE Agenda, has identified education as a major development priority, with emphasis on improving the sector and recognising the contributions of teachers to the future of the state.
The Maltina Teacher of the Year competition is an initiative of the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, established to recognise exceptional teachers and promote excellence in Nigeria’s education system.
The 2026 edition was organised in partnership with Union Bank, Air Peace, Eko Hotels and Suites and Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited.
Inyangudo’s emergence among the top three finalists represents a significant national achievement for Akwa Ibom’s education sector and highlights the capacity of teachers in the state to compete favourably on the national stage.
