The Kwara State Government has rewarded outstanding teachers, school administrators, academics and schools with ₦119.5m as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
The state also announced plans to acquire shares in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Initial Public Offering for selected outstanding female teachers.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq disclosed the initiatives on Monday during the World Teachers’ Day celebration in Ilorin.
119 Teachers Share ₦59.5m
Under the award scheme, 119 outstanding teachers received a combined ₦59.5m, while 29 principals and head teachers received ₦29m.
Eleven serving and retired university academics were also presented with ₦22m under the Pioneer Professorship Recognition Award.
Three schools that emerged winners of the Best Kept School Award shared another ₦9m.
The four categories brought the total value of the awards to ₦119.5m.
AbdulRazaq said the recognition was aimed at appreciating teachers’ sacrifices and motivating them to maintain high standards in the education sector.
“We will continue to do our part, including improving your welfare and working conditions on a sustainable basis. We are confident that you and other stakeholders will always do your part,” the governor said.
Female Teachers To Get Dangote Shares
The governor also announced a plan to purchase Dangote Refinery shares for outstanding female teachers in public schools as part of efforts to promote investment, financial inclusion and asset ownership among women.
According to AbdulRazaq, the state has been discussing the initiative with the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
He said female teachers under the Teaching Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board would be targeted, with each selected beneficiary to receive 10 shares.
The governor also said outstanding retired female teachers would be considered under the programme and directed the Head of Service, Dr Olufunke Mercy Shittu, to develop the modalities for their inclusion.
The proposed arrangement includes a matching-share component involving the Dangote Foundation, according to the governor.
Kwara Highlights Education Reforms
AbdulRazaq said his administration had focused on improving the quality of education through merit-based teacher recruitment, continuous professional development, improved school infrastructure and the use of technology and data through the KwaraLEARN programme.
He also cited regular promotions and the implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Specific Allowance among measures introduced to improve teachers’ welfare.
“Our objective remains clear: to build an education system that gives every child in Kwara a fair opportunity to learn, develop useful skills and compete anywhere in the world,” he said.
Teachers’ Promotion Exercise Approved
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, announced that the state government had approved the 2026 promotion exercise for eligible teachers.
He said the promotion examination was scheduled for the following Saturday and that Kwara was expected to become the first state in the country to conduct its 2026 promotion exercise.
The state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers commended the government’s investments in education and teachers’ welfare but called for the adoption of the national harmonised retirement age for teachers.
The announcements were made as Nigeria joined the global community to mark World Teachers’ Day, with the Kwara government reaffirming its commitment to teachers’ welfare and improvements in educational outcomes.
