Kwara North school wins 2025 tax competition, gets N2.5m
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Shepherd School, Lafiagi, Patigi local government area of Kwara State, has emerged winner of this year’s quiz competition organised by the state’s Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS.)
It scored 20 points to edge out its closest rival, Government Secondary School Lafiagi which scored 16 points while Saint Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin got 10 points at the tension-soaked education exercise jointly supported by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.
According to the quiz master, Ansarul Islam Grammar School, Ijomu Oro came fourth, scoring eight points with Roemichs international schools, Ilorin scoring six while Ansar Ud Deen College, Offa has four points.
With the results, Shepherd school, Lafiagi won N2.5 million while Government Secondary School Lafiagi went away with N1.5 million, leaving Saint Anthony’s Secondary School (third position) with N1 million.
Meanwhile, consolation prizes were given to other participants.
The event, witnessed by traditional rulers and other stakeholders, was contested by 99 schools from across the state, showcasing Kwara’s commitment to promoting tax education and civic responsibility among young people.
However, the Executive Chairman of the KW-IRS, Shade Omoniyi, at the event, revealed that Kwara achieved a 36 per cent year-on-year growth in IGR between 2023 and 2024 to become the fifth least dependent state on federal allocation.
Omoniyi said the agency’s commitment to building a fair, transparent, and efficient tax system has fostered public trust and compliance.
“Kwara also achieved a 36 percent year-on-year growth in internally generated revenue between 2023 and 2024, and is now the fifth least dependent state on federally distributed revenue,” she said.
She added that the programme “has continued to yield outstanding results, with our students in both public and private schools, winning medals locally and internationally.”
She hinted that the governor’s commitment has produced “a generation of disciplined, tax-conscious, and multi-talented youths ready to conquer the world.”
Taking the audience through the event and its essence, the Head Corporate Affairs, Funmilola Oguntunbi, in her presentation titled: “the journey so far,” said the program, jointly held with the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development was one of the Service’s most cherished platforms for engaging, educating, and inspiring the younger generation.
“The consistency of this initiative over the years reflects our unwavering commitment to building a tax-conscious and responsible society, starting with our students who are the leaders of tomorrow.
“The competition is not just about winning; it is about learning and developing a sense of civic responsibility.
“Through this competition, we aim to equip our young minds with knowledge about the importance of taxation, how tax revenue contributes to State development, and the critical role every citizen plays in sustaining good governance.
“At KW-IRS, we believe that when students understand taxation early, they grow to become informed adults who appreciate their obligations to society. This awareness helps to strengthen voluntary compliance and supports the vision of a prosperous and self-reliant Kwara State,” she added.