Government Secondary School (GSS), Lafiagi, has once again demonstrated academic excellence by winning the 2026 Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) annual tax quiz competition, taking home the grand prize of N2.5 million.

Securing the top spot for the second consecutive year following their 2025 victory, the Lafiagi team finished ahead of Saint Anthony's Secondary School, Ilorin, and Ebenezer High School, who earned N1.5 million and N1 million for their respective second and third-place finishes.

Alongside the institutional awards, student champions received N500,000, N375,000, and N200,000 for the top three positions, while their accompanying teachers were rewarded with cash prizes of N150,000, N100,000, and N50,000 respectively.

Addressing attendees at the grand finale in Ilorin, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq emphasized that early tax education remains essential as Nigeria implements critical economic reforms to build public infrastructure and strengthen revenue compliance.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, the governor reiterated his administration's commitment to prioritizing human capital development and supporting learning initiatives for young people across the state.

Speaking earlier at the ceremony, the Executive Chairman of KW-IRS, Mrs Shade Omoniyi, explained that the annual competition forms part of the agency's 5Es Community Impact Programmes to nurture civic responsibility, critical thinking, and tax awareness among secondary school students.

Highlighting the broader economic impact of such academic efforts, the Olofa of Offa, HRM Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, noted that Kwara's sustained investment in education has contributed significantly to keeping the state off national high-poverty indices.

Concluding his remarks, the monarch commended the state's favorable economic rankings and urged all regional stakeholders to continue investing in youth education to guarantee a prosperous future for Kwara State.