Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday received a group of schoolchildren from the state who recently secured victory at the International Junior Secondary School Debate Championship held in Malaysia.
The contest, which ended in December 2025, brought together representatives from 16 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Nigeria was represented by pupils from the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KwSUBEB), according to Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Ajakaye said the pupils earned the opportunity to represent the country after emerging national champions in school debate — a record the state has maintained for four straight years.
Following their performance in Malaysia last December, the team, popularly referred to as the Kwara contingent, also competed at the Nigerian Presidential School Debate held in Lagos, where they again emerged victorious.
Governor AbdulRazaq, delighted by the success recorded in the two competitions, praised the students for their outstanding performances, noting that they had projected both Nigeria and Kwara State positively on the international stage.
Members of the winning team include Lawal Maryam Kikeloma, Jatto Rahmatallah Onize, Paul Unity, Fatimah AbdulRahman Thaini, and Priscilla Aremu Temilayo.
The governor subsequently announced a cash reward of N2 million for each of the students and an additional N500,000 each for their tutors. The reward is in addition to the N3 million savings already secured for each of the students by SUBEB during their trip to Malaysia last year.
While congratulating the teachers and parents of the students, AbdulRazaq reiterated the administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the education sector as well as improved welfare for civil servants, particularly teachers.
He also commended the parents for their dedication and for instilling the values that helped prepare the students for their achievements.
“I say congratulations to us all, especially to the students and the family members of this award winning team. You not only succeeded in representing Nigeria in Malaysia, you have also succeeded in retaining the trophy for the Presidential School Debate,” he said at the reception for the children in Ilorin.
“You represented us well and you are worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Kwara State. We are truly proud of your achievements.
“We will continue to invest heavily in the education sector, such as in the school infrastructure, curricula, and support for the civil servants who are behind the turnaround of our education in the state. We are glad to be here now; we couldn’t have dreamt of this six years ago when salaries were not even being paid.
“Yes, a lot of work still needs to be done but we will continue to do what we need to do to make sure that the standards get better year in, year out.”
Chairman of SUBEB, Sheu Raheem Adaramaja, recalled that Team Nigeria, represented by the Kwara pupils, became the first African team to win the international debate championship. He added that the team also received an award for the Best Behaved Team.
Adaramaja, who expressed gratitude to the governor for his consistent backing of the board and the students, said the success recorded by the pupils was made possible by the administration’s continuous support.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Jatto Rahmatullah Onize thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for providing what she described as a supportive learning environment that enabled them to excel and attain global recognition.
She also appreciated the SUBEB management, teachers, and parents for their guidance and mentorship which contributed to their remarkable accomplishment.
Also present at the event were members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, cabinet members, local government chairmen from Offa, Ilorin South and Ilorin East, senior SUBEB officials, coaches, and relatives of the students.
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