By Folaranmi Ajayi
The story of Esomnofu Chidiebube is one that is built on passion and resilience. Esomnofu Chidiebube Ifechukwu has emerged as a finalist for the prestigious Maltina Teacher of the Year 2024 Award, a recognition he describes as the crowning moment of his mission to end math phobia. Chidiebube’s experience with mathematics was once a personal struggle, but it has now become the driving force behind his career as a mathematics educator.
Reflecting on his path, Esomnofu shared how his dream of becoming a medical doctor was crushed by his inability to conquer mathematics in secondary school. “Mathematics was my greatest enemy,” he said. “I suffered at its hands and made a promise to myself: I would exact my revenge.”
Determined to master the subject, Chidiebube changed his career path, earning a degree in mathematics education. His teaching journey began at a primary school in 2010, earning just 4,000 naira a month. Despite the low pay, his passion for teaching math grew stronger. “It was never about the money. I was on a mission—to fight back against the fear and confusion that Maths instilled in so many.”
Throughout his career, Esomnofu taught at several schools across Anambra State, including Royal Saints International School and City International School. By 2018, he had joined British Spring College, where he began integrating technology into his teaching. However, his heart remained with students who struggled the most with math.
In 2020, he left his well-paying job at British Spring College for Community Secondary School in Igbariam, a village school, where he earned significantly less. Yet, Chidiebube found fulfillment in transforming students who once feared math into students who loved it. “I was happier than ever, transforming students who once feared math into students who loved it,” he said.
His efforts to end math phobia extended beyond the classroom. Esomnofu distributed over 5,000 WAEC past question DVDs to more than 3,000 students in Anambra State, investing over a million naira of his own money into the initiative. He also gained a massive online following, with millions of students watching his math tutorials each month.
Despite his success, the journey had its low points. In 2020, Chidiebube applied for the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award but fell short of the top three finalists. “I was heartbroken and told myself I would never apply again,” he recalled. But his dedication to his mission of helping students overcome their fear of math pushed him to continue his work.
In 2024, with encouragement from his mentor, Mrs. TeacherRose Nkem Obi, Esomnofu reapplied for the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award and this time made it to the final round. “This time, God crowned my efforts,” he said with a smile, noting that he currently teaches at Crown Grace School in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Esomnofu, who has received over 10 awards, including recognition from the “I AM NIGERIA INITIATIVE” alongside notable figures like Obi Cubana, remains committed to his mission of ending math phobia. “From the boy who once failed math to the man now recognized as one of the best math teachers in Nigeria, I have come full circle,” he said. “This is only the beginning. Together, we will end math phobia for good.”
Esomnofu’s story of perseverance, innovation, and commitment to education serves as an inspiration to teachers and students alike, showing that with passion and dedication, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.
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