Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has rewarded the two highest-performing graduates at the 2026 Nigerian Law School graduation ceremony with N5 million each and pledged to sponsor their Master's degrees at Ivy League universities once they secure admission.

The governor received the outstanding graduates at the Government House in Ilorin on Tuesday, describing their achievements as a source of pride for Kwara State and an inspiration to young people across the country.

The beneficiaries are Israel Adekunle Adeniyi, an indigene of Offa, who emerged as the overall best graduating student at the 2026 Nigerian Law School graduation in Abuja, and Oluwatomisin Promise Daniel, from Idofin Igbana in Oke Ero Local Government Area, who finished as the second-best graduating student.

Both graduates are alumni of the University of Ilorin.

Governor AbdulRazaq said he considered it important to personally celebrate their exceptional academic achievements in order to encourage other students to pursue excellence.

"I felt it was necessary to personally honour their hard work, commitment and brilliance to motivate others to also do well and make their families and our state proud," the governor said.

In addition to the cash awards of N5 million each, AbdulRazaq said he was impressed by their ambition to pursue postgraduate studies at Ivy League institutions abroad and pledged to sponsor their Master's programmes after they secure admission.

He described the support as the state's token of appreciation for excellence, stressing that hard work and dedication would always be recognised.

"This is our token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. We care for excellence and hard work in any field," he added.

The governor also said the achievements of the two young legal scholars debunk the popular notion that education no longer guarantees success.

He noted that both graduates are already making significant progress in their legal careers and wished them continued success.