Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has presented awards worth ₦119.5 million to outstanding teachers, school administrators, academics and schools across the state as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day. The awards were presented in Ilorin on Monday during the state’s World Teachers’ Day celebration.
Under the awards, 29 principals and head teachers received a combined ₦29 million, while 119 outstanding teachers received ₦59.5 million. Eleven serving and retired university academics received ₦22 million under a pioneer professorship recognition award, while three schools shared ₦9 million after emerging winners of the Best Kept School Award.
AbdulRazaq said recognising outstanding teachers was intended to reward their contribution to education and encourage higher standards across schools in the state. He said his administration’s education reforms had included recruitment of teachers through a merit-based process, continuous professional development, improvements to school infrastructure and the deployment of technology and data through KwaraLEARN.
The governor also cited the implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Specific Allowance and regular promotions as part of efforts to improve teachers’ welfare. According to him, teachers remain central to the state’s education strategy. “When we came into office, we knew that improving the education sector was a top priority,” AbdulRazaq said.
AbdulRazaq also announced plans by his administration to purchase shares in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery initial public offering for selected female teachers, as part of an initiative intended to encourage investment and asset ownership among women. He said the state planned to purchase shares in the ongoing initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals for female teachers in outstanding public schools.
The governor disclosed that the government was discussing an arrangement with the Aliko Dangote Foundation aimed at introducing selected female teachers to share ownership. He directed the Head of Service, Dr Olufunke Mercy Shittu, to develop modalities that could also accommodate outstanding retired female teachers.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, congratulated the award recipients and urged teachers to continue improving their professional skills. Former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kwara State and keynote speaker, Umar Farooq, urged the government and other stakeholders to continue creating conditions that would enable teachers to perform effectively.
Key points
- The Kwara State government has presented awards worth ₦119.5 million to outstanding teachers and schools.
- The government plans to purchase shares in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery initial public offering for selected female teachers.
- The state’s education reforms include recruitment of teachers through a merit-based process and improvements to school infrastructure.
