By Kayode Abdulazeez, Ilorin
Government Secondary School, Lafiaji, has emerged winner of the 2026 Tax Club Quiz Competition by the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), winning the grand prize of N2.5 million.
The competition, organised by KW-IRS in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, attracted 90 schools that indicated interest in this year’s edition.
Government Secondary School, Lafiaji, secured 20 points to emerge first, while St. Anthony Secondary School came second with 16 points. Ebenezer Secondary School, Ilorin, finished third with 14 points.
The first-place winner received N2.5 million, while St. Anthony Secondary School and Ebenezer Secondary School received N1.5 million and N1 million, respectively.
Speaking at the grand finale, held in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of KW-IRS, Shade Omoniyi, said the initiative demonstrated a collective commitment to promoting tax education, civic responsibility and voluntary tax compliance among young people in Kwara State.
She explained that the agency introduced the rewards to recognise outstanding performance and encourage healthy competition among participating schools.
According to her, the winning school will receive N2.5 million, while its students and teacher will get N400,000 and N150,000, respectively.
She added that the second-placed school would receive N1.5 million, with its students and teacher getting N300,000 and N100,000, respectively.
Similarly, the third-placed school would receive N1 million, while its students and teachers would get N200,000 and N50,000, respectively.
Omoniyi commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment to the education sector and continued support for initiatives aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and values needed to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
She said, “We remain grateful for your developmental initiatives and landmark achievements across various sectors, as well as your support for Kwara Internal Revenue Service in strengthening revenue administration for the sustainable growth and development of Kwara State.”
The KW-IRS chairman also appreciated all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the programme.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olorungbebe, said the ministry’s collaboration with the revenue agency underscored the importance of partnerships in building a tax-aware and responsible society.
He noted that schools must not only provide academic knowledge but also prepare learners to understand how society functions and the responsibilities they would assume as future leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and citizens.
According to him, taxation remains an essential pillar of governance and development, providing governments with resources to deliver public services, construct infrastructure, improve healthcare, strengthen education and create opportunities for economic growth.
He stressed the need to educate children early about the relationship between citizens and government, noting that responsible citizenship also involves understanding the importance of tax compliance.
Olorungbebe said the state government was using education as a practical tool to nurture a generation that appreciates tax compliance, accountability, public service and national development.
“The Ministry remains committed to strengthening this collaboration and ensuring that initiatives such as this reach more schools and communities across Kwara State,” he said.
