…29 principals, head teachers get N29m; 119 teachers receive N59.5m
Daud Olatunji
The Kwara State Government has rewarded outstanding teachers, principals and head teachers with about N120m, while unveiling plans to acquire shares in the Dangote Refinery for outstanding female teachers in the state.
The initiatives were announced on Monday in Ilorin as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.
The state government said the measures were designed to recognise excellence in the teaching profession, improve teachers’ welfare and promote financial inclusion and asset ownership among female educators.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, 29 best-performing principals and head teachers received N29m, while 119 outstanding teachers received N59.5m.
Also rewarded were 11 serving and retired university dons, who received N22m under the pioneer professorship recognition awards, while three schools received N9m for emerging as winners of the Best Kept School Award.
Speaking at the event, AbdulRazaq said the awards were intended to appreciate the sacrifices of teachers and encourage them to sustain high standards in the education sector.
He said his administration would continue to improve teachers’ welfare and working conditions, stressing that the quality of education remained critical to the future of the state.
“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.
AbdulRazaq said his administration’s education reforms went beyond the construction of classrooms and recruitment of teachers, adding that the government had focused on improving teaching quality and restoring the dignity of the profession.
He listed the recruitment of qualified teachers through a merit-based process, continuous professional development, improved school infrastructure and the deployment of technology and data in basic education management through KwaraLEARN among the measures taken by the government.
The governor also cited the regular promotion of teachers and implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Specific Allowance as part of the government’s interventions.
He said the initiatives were beginning to produce results, pointing to the performance of Kwara pupils in national and international competitions.
A major highlight of the celebration was the announcement of the proposed acquisition of Dangote Refinery shares for outstanding female teachers in the state.
AbdulRazaq disclosed that the state had been discussing with the Dangote Foundation on initiatives aimed at encouraging investment, financial inclusion, asset ownership and shareholding among women.
He explained that the Dangote Foundation had created a platform under which women could subscribe for shares, with a matching grant arrangement.
The governor said hardworking female teachers under the State Universal Basic Education Board and the Teaching Service Commission would benefit from the initiative.
According to him, each selected female teacher would receive 10 shares, while the initiative would also be extended to retired female teachers.
“Our hardworking women teachers in TESCOM and SUBEB will get ten shares each. We will also extend it to the retired female teachers so that peace and prosperity will go round them,” AbdulRazaq said.
The governor subsequently directed the state Head of Service, Dr Olufunke Mercy Shittu, to work out modalities for incorporating outstanding retired female teachers into the Dangote Refinery initial public offering.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, disclosed that the state government had approved the 2026 promotion exercise for teachers.
Adaramaja said the promotion examination would hold the following Saturday, adding that Kwara would become the first state in the country to conduct the 2026 promotion exercise for eligible teachers.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the recognition of outstanding teachers was a reward for hard work and urged the beneficiaries to continue improving themselves professionally.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Audu Amba, represented by Issa Habeeb, joined state NUT leaders, heads of educational institutions, labour leaders and government officials at the celebration.
The state NUT Chairman, Yusuf Agboola, commended the government for its investments in school infrastructure and teachers’ welfare.
He, however, appealed to the state government to adopt the national harmonised retirement age for teachers, among other demands.
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