This award is being presented posthumously to a uniquely enterprising Nigerian woman who distinguished herself so eminently in Nigeria’s education sector.

Mrs. Mercy Nneka Nwankwo was the Founder and Proprietress of the famous Aaresther Divine Schools located in Ajao Estate, off Mutrtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Lagos. Through hardwork and strong determination, she built a school which excelled and still stands tall among the best schools in Nigeria.

Mrs. Mercy Nneka Nwankwo, who is still fondly referred to by admirers as   Mama Aaresther, lived a life defined by faith, integrity, service, and quiet excellence. Her journey began under circumstances that would shape her life early. At just two years old, she was separated from her mother and brought back to her ancestral village in Ajalli. Though tender in age, this early displacement planted in her  resilience and inner resolve that would become evident throughout her life.

By the age of six, Mercy had found God, and this encounter was not fleeting. Her faith became the anchor of her life, guiding her decisions, shaping her character, and defining her purpose. It was this deep-rooted spirituality that distinguished her even as a young girl and later earned her a reputation during her secondary school years as “Mercy nwa righteous”—a name that spoke volumes about her moral uprightness and unwavering principles.

In the difficult years following the Biafran War, when examination malpractice was widespread and survival often demanded compromise, Mercy stood firm. She was among the very few who refused to cut corners, choosing honesty over convenience. Against the odds, she passed her examinations honorably, an early testament to the integrity that would mark her life’s work.

Inspired by the selfless service of Florence Nightingale, Mercy initially aspired to become a nurse. However, guided by her father’s counsel and divine direction, she chose the path of education instead, a decision that would later bless countless lives.

In 1971, she married her beloved husband, Mr. Mark Okwudili Nwankwo, beginning a partnership grounded in shared values, faith, and vision. In 1975, she joined her husband in the United States of America, where her academic and professional journey continued to unfold.

She studied Education with a specialization in Special Needs at the University of Chicago, Illinois, reflecting her compassionate heart and deep concern for those often overlooked.

In 1981, driven by a sense of calling rather than comfort, Mrs. Nwankwo returned to Nigeria to contribute her knowledge and skills to national development. She began her teaching career with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, where she served diligently, predominantly as an English teacher. English Language became her tool of influence, reflecting her clarity of thought, discipline and strength of character.

She later earned a Master’s degree from the University of Benin. Her excellence and dedication were recognized in 1993 when she received the Best Teacher Award, Lagos State, affirming years of faithful service and impact.

Mama Aaresther was a devoted wife and a loving mother, blessed with four beautiful children, whom she raised with the same values of faith, discipline, and integrity that defined her life. She also served faithfully in Deeper Life Bible Church, committing herself to the work of God and the nurturing of spiritual lives.

In 1997, together with her husband, she founded Aaresther Divine Nursery and Primary School. What began as a vision rooted in faith and passion for education has grown into a household name, an enduring legacy of excellence, moral instruction, and child-centred learning.

Mrs. Mercy Nneka Nwankwo lived not loudly, but deeply. Her life was a sermon, preached through integrity, compassion, discipline and unwavering faith. She left this world in the evening of January 13, 2026, leaving behind a legacy that continues to speak through the lives she touched, the institution she built and the family she raised.

She was, indeed, a woman of substance— a teacher of minds, a moulder of character and a servant of God.

It is in recognition of her Sterling Accomplishments in the Development, Management and Delivery of Quality Education in Nigeria that Mrs. Mercy Nneka Nwankwo (Mama Aaresther) is deemed worthy to be posthumously conferred with the Woman of Merit Gold Award.