Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has declared that taxation transcends the mere payment of statutory levies, describing it as a vital civic instrument for fostering collective responsibility toward funding public infrastructure, social amenities, and sustainable development.

Speaking on Wednesday at the grand finale of the 2026 Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) Tax Club Quiz Competition in Ilorin, the governor emphasized that early tax education has become imperative as Nigeria implements far-reaching fiscal and tax reforms to enhance revenue mobilization, fairness, and voluntary compliance.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, Governor AbdulRazaq commended the revenue agency for introducing secondary school students to tax principles early, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the state's human capital.

He noted that the initiative will help nurture a new generation of citizens who appreciate the direct correlation between taxation, prudent public expenditure, accountability, and socioeconomic growth.

The governor reaffirmed his administration's determination to foster an environment where qualitative education, innovation, and personal development remain within reach for youth across the state.

"We recognise that education and human capital development are critical pillars of sustainable growth, and we will continue to support initiatives that equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to succeed in an increasingly competitive world," AbdulRazaq stated.

At the end of the academic exercise, Government Secondary School, Lafiagi, retained its championship title, emerging overall winner for the second consecutive year after its initial victory in 2025, clinching the N2.5 million grand prize.

Saint Anthony Secondary School, Ilorin, emerged first runner-up, securing N1.5 million, while Ebenezer High School, Ilorin, finished third, winning N1 million.

In the individual participant category, student representatives of the winning school received N500,000, while the second and third-place contestants got N375,000 and N200,000 respectively. Their coordinating subject teachers were rewarded with cash prizes of N150,000, N100,000, and N50,000 respectively.

In her remarks, the Executive Chairman of KW-IRS, Mrs Shade Omoniyi, urged the participating students to let the knowledge and experience gained from the competition inspire them toward higher academic pursuits. She explained that the annual competition is anchored under the Education pillar of the KW-IRS 5Es Community Impact Programmes (CIPs), designed to cultivate a culture of tax compliance by acquainting students with fiscal concepts.

Also speaking, the Olofa of Offa, HRM Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, noted that sustained educational advancement and strategic government investment in the sector have shielded Kwara State from falling into high poverty brackets, referencing recent national indicators that excluded Kwara from the list of top 20 states with the highest poverty prevalence.