Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday hosted Kwara schoolchildren who recently won the International Junior Secondary School Debate Championship in Malaysia.
Concluded in December, 2025, the competition featured 16 countries from across Asia, Africa, and Europe, with Nigeria fully represented by pupils of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board KwSUBEB.
They represented Nigeria on the ground of their being the national champions in school debate — a feat Kwara has recorded for four consecutive years.
Shortly after Malaysia’s outing last December, the team (Kwara Contingent) participated in the Nigerian Presidential School Debate in Lagos, where they emerged champion.
Excited by the outcome of the two events, the Governor saluted the team for their impressive outings which properly projected Nigeria and Kwara State.
The Kwara debaters are Lawal Maryam Kikeloma, Jatto Rahmatallah Onize, Paul Unity, Fatimah AbdulRahman Thaini, and Priscilla Aremu Temilayo.
The Governor announced a N2m cash reward for each of them and another N500,000 each for their tutors. The cash reward adds to the three million naira savings apiece that the SUBEB had 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.
He specifically applauded the parents for their hard work and for giving the children the right values which prepared them for the feats.
“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.”
SUBEB Chairman Prof Sheu Raheem Adaramaj recalled that the Team Nigeria (Kwara pupils) was the first African country to win the International debate championship, adding that they were also awarded a prize as the Best Behaved Team.
Adaramaja, who appreciated the constant support of the Governor to the agency and the team, attributed the success story to the relentless efforts of the administration.
Speaking on behalf of other students, Jatto Rahmatullah Onize, thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for creating a conducive learning atmosphere that she said has paved the way for them to thrive and become global champions.
She also thanked the SUBEB team, teachers, and their parents for the support and mentorship that earned them the remarkable success.
At the event were members of Kwara State House of Assembly, cabinet members, Local Government Council Chairmen of Offa, Ilorin South and Ilorin East, principal staff of SUBEB, coaches, and members of the family of the champions.