Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved about ₦120 million in awards for outstanding teachers across the state and announced plans to buy Dangote Refinery shares for female educators.
The measures were announced on Monday, October 5, 2026, during the state’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day in Ilorin.
The PUNCH reported on October 5, 2026, that the award package was contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola.
Under the awards, 29 best principals and head teachers received ₦29 million, while 119 outstanding teachers received ₦59.5 million.
Eleven serving and retired university dons also received ₦22 million under the pioneer professorship recognition category, while three schools received ₦9 million for the Best Kept School Award.
The four categories amount to ₦119.5 million, which the state government described as about ₦120 million.
AbdulRazaq said the awards were intended to recognise teachers’ sacrifices and motivate them to do more, adding that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and working conditions.
The governor also announced a plan to promote investment and financial inclusion among female teachers through the ongoing initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.
According to THISDAY’s October 5, 2026 report, AbdulRazaq said the state government planned to buy 10,000 shares for female teachers under the scheme, with 10 shares allocated to each participating teacher.
The governor said the state had been in discussions with the Aliko Dangote Foundation over the initiative. Under the arrangement he announced, the foundation would grant another 10 shares for every 10 shares purchased, giving participating teachers a total of 20 shares.
The scheme is targeted at female teachers under the Teaching Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board, with AbdulRazaq also directing the state Head of Service, Dr Olufunke Mercy Shittu, to develop modalities for including outstanding retired female teachers.
The initiative follows the Dangote Foundation’s broader plan to support women participating in the refinery’s IPO. BusinessDay reported on September 23, 2026, that the foundation planned to work with state governments to help about two million vulnerable women acquire shares and receive additional shares as grants.
The governor also highlighted teacher promotions as part of his administration’s welfare measures.
The Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, said the government had approved the 2026 promotion exercise for SUBEB teachers.
The official Kwara SUBEB promotion portal states that the 2026 promotion examination is scheduled as a computer-based test, with registration closing on October 8, 2026.
The promotion examination is scheduled to begin on October 10, 2026.
The awards and welfare measures were announced as Kwara joined other states in marking World Teachers’ Day, observed globally on October 5.
