Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has rewarded five Kwara State students with N2 million each after they won the International Junior Secondary School Debate Championship in Malaysia and retained Nigeria’s national debate title.
The governor hosted the students at the Government House in Ilorin yesterday, celebrating what officials described as a landmark achievement for the state’s education sector.
Representing Nigeria, the Kwara students defeated teams from 16 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe to win the global championship in Malaysia in December 2025.
The team also received the Best Behaved Team Award during the competition.
After returning home, the students competed in the Nigerian Presidential School Debate in Lagos, where they emerged champions for the fourth consecutive year.
To honour their achievement, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved a cash reward of N2 million for each of the five students.
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The governor also noted that the students already had N3 million each saved on their behalf by the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KwSUBEB) during their participation in the Malaysia competition.
In addition, he approved a N500,000 reward for each of the tutors and teachers who coached and mentored the team.
The students are Lawal Maryam Kikeloma, Jatto Rahmatallah Onize, Paul Unity, Fatimah AbdulRahman Thaini, and Priscilla Aremu Temilayo.
AbdulRazaq described the students as worthy ambassadors of both Nigeria and Kwara State, attributing their success to sustained investment in public education.
“We will continue to invest heavily in education, including school infrastructure, curriculum development and support for teachers,” the governor said.
Chairman of the state SUBEB, Raheem Adaramaja, credited the achievement to the government’s consistent support for public schools.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Jatto Onize thanked the governor for creating a conducive learning environment and acknowledged the role played by their teachers, SUBEB officials and parents in their success.
The reception was attended by members of the state executive council, legislators and local government chairmen from Offa, Ilorin South and Ilorin East.
