Wema Bank Rewards Teachers With Over ₦4.5m Worth of Prizes to Top 5 Teachers From its Wema At 80 Teachers Day Campaign

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Wema Bank has announced and celebrated the winners of its 2025 Wema At 80 Teachers Day Campaign on Friday, October 31, 2025.

The event, themed ‘Celebrating Teachers with a Legacy of Impact’, was an initiative that recognised and rewarded educators whose influence has shaped generations of students. The award ceremony, which was held at the Bank’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos, saw the top five teachers officially announced and rewarded for their exceptional contributions to education in Nigeria.

Speaking on the campaign, Moruf Oseni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, said that teachers remain the unsung heroes behind every great achievement, and their dedication to nurturing minds and shaping the next generation is what builds strong nations. According to him “Today, we are honoured to celebrate our educators. The teachers who have impacted lives. We celebrate their resilience and dedication, especially as we mark 80 years of empowering communities and driving positive impact. The Wema Bank Teachers Day Campaign is one of the initiatives that we have used to invest in the education sector at large.”

Abraham Ngobiri, the overall winner and Founder of Teens-Train, who has used his platform to impact social change by coaching, mentoring and counseling teens, saw the recognition as a fuel to do more. He expressed gratitude to the Bank and his students, saying it felt good to see teachers celebrated and rewarded by those they have taught. “For many years, teachers have given their all quietly, and what Wema Bank has done today makes us feel seen and valued,” he said. “This recognition fuels our commitment to keep shaping lives.”

Mrs. Esther Babasola Adesada, the second-place winner and founder of Heritage X Foundation, described the recognition as “a huge motivation and a pick-me up in a year where I was battling self-doubt in my calling,” adding that “it’s a pointer that no matter the difficulty faced in doing your part, you should keep doing it. The children and even the world are observing, and it will come back to you beautifully one day.” Taiwo Alabi, the founder of Educycle, who came third, shared, “to be recognized on this platform means a lot, not just for me but for every teacher who wakes up daily to inspire the next generation. Thank you, Wema Bank, for leading this movement.”

The Wema At 80 Teachers Day Campaign was launched in September 2025. The campaign invited students and alumni across the country to post 80-second videos celebrating unforgettable teachers whose legacies continue to impact their schools and communities. After weeks of entries and careful evaluation, ten remarkable teachers were shortlisted, with three emerging as overall winners following a rigorous judging process.

At the end of the selection, Mr. Abraham Ngobiri from Federal Government College, Enugu, emerged as the 1st place winner, receiving ₦2 million. Mrs. Esther Babasola Adesada of Community Senior Grammar School, Ipaja, Lagos, secured 2nd place with ₦1.5 million, while Ms. Taiwo Alabi of Ikorodu Junior Grammar School, Lagos, placed 3rd, taking home ₦1 million. The winners were evaluated based on four criteria, namely, quantifiable impact, passion and drive, effective communication and collaboration skills, and innovative and developmental teaching methods.

The third and fourth runners-up also received consolation gifts and cash prizes at the event in celebration of their contributions to the lives of several generations of students. The challenge was adjudged by Clara El-Dangana, Azeezat Ogunbamowo, Olubusola Kanimodo, and Eyituoyo Egbe from Wema Bank; Rose Nwajie from the Lagos State Ministry of Education; and Blessed Kemka from Focus Teens Foundation.

Since its inception in 2023, Wema Bank’s Teachers’ Day Campaign has grown into a nationwide movement dedicated to celebrating educators and amplifying their stories. Over the last three years, the Bank has invested more than ₦20 million in prizes, and mentorship programs, impacting over 3,000 students and 10 schools through leadership and citizenship sessions.

This year’s Wema At 80 Teachers Day campaign tagged Teachers with a Legacy of Impact Challenge, held in commemoration of the Bank’s 80th anniversary, reinforces Wema Bank’s long-standing legacy of empowering people, supporting education, and building sustainable communities.