From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has rewarded pupils and students who distinguished themselves in national and international academic competitions, with N3 million each in recognition of their outstanding performances.
The governor also awarded their coaches N1 million each, describing the students’ achievements as evidence that his administration’s investments in education are yielding positive results.
AbdulRazaq hosted the pupils and students at the Government House, Ilorin, following their impressive outings at the 2026 Presidential School Debate in Abuja, an international competition in Kenya and another national debate in Rivers State.
At the Presidential School Debate, Team Kwara defeated Team Lagos by five points to one in the final to emerge champions for the fifth consecutive time.
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The victorious team comprised Halimoh Abdulazeez from Ilorin West Local Government Area; Khadija Kazeem (Offa); Omolola Ibrahim (Moro); and Samaila Daniel (Ilorin East).
The governor also honoured senior secondary school students who represented Nigeria at an international competition in Kenya, where they finished as second runners-up.
Similarly, students who emerged first runners-up in the senior category of the Presidential School Debate held in Rivers State were recognised.
The students honoured in the other two categories included Moshood Muhammad Kamaldeen of Government Secondary School, Ilorin; Abdulazeez Abdulmutesir Destiny of St. Anthony School, Ilorin; Aisha Abdulazeez Semilore of Nawarul-Deen Secondary School, Offa; Mariam Usman Enyo and Masiah Olaniran of Ilorin Grammar School, Ilorin; Jatto Rahmatullahi Onise of Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin; Ayisat Muhammad Oyinkansola of Army Day Secondary School, Sobi, Ilorin; and Oluwadare of Bishop Smith Memorial College, Ilorin.
Congratulating the pupils and students, AbdulRazaq described their performances as a testament to the impact of his administration’s investment in the education sector.
He said their achievements would encourage the government to sustain and deepen its commitment to improving education in the state.
“Once again, congratulations. Indeed, our investment in education is paying off. What you’ve done and have achieved will encourage us to do more in this sector,” he said.
The governor noted that despite competing demands from other sectors for government resources, investment in education remained critical to the future development of Kwara and Nigeria.
“There are many sectors competing for resources. But what you’re doing here shows that whatever we put in education is an investment, not just for now, but ultimately for the future of the state and for the future of Nigeria,” he added.
AbdulRazaq attributed the growing competitiveness of public schools in the state partly to the introduction of KwaraLEARN, a technology-driven teaching and learning initiative introduced by his administration.
He observed that the programme had helped improve the quality of teaching and learning in public schools, encouraging more parents to enrol their children in government-owned schools.
“When we say investment in education, we’re talking about not just the infrastructure and building in schools, but also training and retraining of teachers, and improving the curriculum, and doing the best we can to make students stay in schools,” he said.
The governor commended the parents, teachers, coaches and school authorities for their sacrifices and contributions to the academic successes of the pupils and students.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, and the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KwSUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, said the students’ achievements demonstrated the positive impact of the administration’s investment in education.
They expressed pride in being part of the government’s education development efforts and commended the governor for his leadership and support.
Speaking on behalf of the debate champions, Halimoh Abdulazeez thanked the governor for recognising their efforts and investing in their education, which she said would help create opportunities for their future success.
She also appreciated their teachers, parents and coaches for their guidance, encouragement and contributions to their achievements.
