The Kwara State Government has announced plans to purchase shares in the Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO) for female teachers in the state as part of measures to encourage investment and promote financial inclusion among educators.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq disclosed this on Monday in Ilorin during an event organised to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
The governor also presented about N120 million in financial awards to outstanding teachers, head teachers, principals, university dons and schools.
AbdulRazaq said the state government would acquire 10,000 shares for 10 female teachers in each of the outstanding public schools. He added that the initiative would also cover outstanding retired female teachers.
According to him, the scheme was being developed in partnership with the Dangote Foundation to encourage women to progress from earning income to building assets through investment and share ownership.
“Dangote has created the Dangote Foundation, providing subscription grounds for women only. For every ten shares we purchase they will give a grant of another ten shares, making twenty shares,” the governor said.
He added, “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 directed the Head of Service, Dr Olufunke Mercy Shittu, to develop modalities for incorporating eligible retired female teachers into the programme.
The governor said the investment initiative formed part of broader measures to strengthen teachers’ welfare and increase their economic opportunities.
He said his administration would continue to give priority to teachers because of their importance in shaping the quality of education and 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,” he said.
On the awards, the governor said 29 best principals and head teachers received N29 million, while 119 outstanding teachers received N59.5 million.
Eleven serving and retired university dons received N22 million under the Pioneer Professorship Recognition Awards, while three schools received N9 million for the Best Kept School Award.
AbdulRazaq said the recognition was intended to reward dedication and encourage educators to maintain their contributions to the state’s education system.
He said the administration’s education reforms had concentrated on strengthening teaching and learning through merit-based recruitment, continuous professional development, improved school infrastructure and the application of technology and data through KwaraLEARN.
The governor also cited the regular promotion of teachers and implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Specific Allowance as steps taken to improve their welfare.
According to him, the measures were yielding results, particularly in the performance of Kwara pupils at national and international competitions.
The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof Sheu Raheem Adaramaja, announced that the 2026 promotion exercise for eligible teachers had received approval from the state government.
Adaramaja said the promotion examination would take place on October 10, adding that Kwara would become the first state in the federation to conduct its 2026 promotion exercise for eligible teachers.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the award programme showed that dedication and hard work deserved recognition.
He urged the recipients to maintain their performance and encouraged teachers across the state to continue improving their professional skills.
The former Kwara State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress and keynote speaker, Comrade Umar Farooq, said supporting teachers should be viewed as an investment in children, communities and society.
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Yusuf Wahab Agboola, commended the government for its interventions in school infrastructure and teachers’ welfare, while calling for the adoption of the national harmonised retirement age for teachers.
