The Kwara State Government has announced plans to purchase shares in the Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO) for female teachers in the state. This initiative aims to promote investment and financial inclusion among educators. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq disclosed this plan on Monday in Ilorin while speaking at an event organised to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day. The governor also presented about N120 million in awards to outstanding teachers, head teachers, principals, and schools.
Under the scheme, the state will purchase 10,000 shares for 10 female teachers in each of the outstanding public schools. The initiative will also be extended to outstanding retired female teachers. This program is being developed in partnership with the Dangote Foundation to encourage women to move beyond earning income to building assets through investment and share ownership. For every ten shares purchased, the Dangote Foundation will provide a grant of another ten shares, making twenty shares in total.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq emphasized that the investment program is part of wider efforts to improve the welfare and economic opportunities available to teachers in the state. He highlighted that his administration would continue to prioritize teachers due to their central role in determining the quality of education and, ultimately, the future of the state. The governor directed the Head of Service, Dr Olufunke Mercy Shittu, to work out modalities for capturing qualified retired female teachers under the initiative.
During the event, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq presented financial awards totalling about N120 million to outstanding education stakeholders across different categories. 29 best principals and head teachers received N29 million, while 119 outstanding teachers received N59.5 million. Eleven serving and retired university dons were presented with N22 million under the Pioneer Professorship Recognition Awards, and three schools received N9 million for the Best Kept School Award.
The governor stated that the recognition was designed to reward sacrifice and motivate educators to sustain their contributions to the state’s education system. He cited the administration’s education reforms, which have focused on improving both the quality of teaching and learning. These reforms include merit-based recruitment, continuous professional development, improved school infrastructure, and the use of technology and data through KwaraLEARN.
According to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the interventions have yielded results, particularly in the performance of Kwara pupils at national and international competitions. He also highlighted the regular promotion of teachers and implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Specific Allowance as measures aimed at improving their welfare. The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof Sheu Raheem Adaramaja, announced that the 2026 promotion exercise for eligible teachers had been approved by the state government.
The promotion examination will hold on October 10, making Kwara the first state in the federation to conduct its 2026 promotion exercise for eligible teachers. Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the award program demonstrated that hard work deserved recognition. He urged the awardees to sustain their performance and encouraged teachers across the state to continue developing themselves professionally.
Key points
- The Kwara State Government will purchase 10,000 shares for 10 female teachers in each of the outstanding public schools as part of a new initiative to promote investment and financial inclusion among educators.
- The initiative is being developed in partnership with the Dangote Foundation, which will provide a grant of another ten shares for every ten shares purchased, making twenty shares in total.
- The governor presented financial awards totalling about N120 million to outstanding education stakeholders across different categories.
