Four Kwara students secure Nigeria’s international debate win, gov gifts N2m each

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, hosted Kwara schoolchildren who recently won the International Junior Secondary School Debate Championship in his office on Monday.

The competition which concluded in December, 2025, featured 16 countries from across Asia, Africa, and Europe, with Nigeria fully represented by pupils of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board KwSUBEB.

The representation came from being the current national champions of school debates in Nigeria, a feat Kwara has recorded for four consecutive years.

Similarly, after the team’s Malaysia win, last December, the team went on to participate in the Nigerian Presidential School Debate in Lagos, where they also emerged champion.

Excited by the outcome of both events, the governor saluted the team for their impressive outings which properly projected Nigeria and Kwara State whilst announcing a N2m cash reward for each member of the team and another N500,000 each for their tutors. The cash reward adds to the three million naira savings apiece that the SUBEB had earlier made for them during the Malaysia trip last year.

Congratulating their teachers and parents, Governor AbdulRazaq said the government will invest more in the education sector and the welfare of civil servants (teachers) who made it happen, amid commending the parents for their hard work and for giving the children the right values which prepared them for the feats.

The team of Kwara students which represented Nigeria include Lawal Maryam Kikelomo, Jatto Rahmatallah Onize, Paul Unity, Fatimah AbdulRahman Thaini, and Priscilla Aremu Temilayo.

Speaking on behalf of other students, Jatto Rahmatullah Onize, thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for creating a conducive learning atmosphere for students in the state, addi that his dedication and passion in leadership paved the way for them to thrive and become global champions.