On 29th, January 2026, Governor Alex Otti has announced that public school enrolment in Abia State has soared from about 117,000 pupils and students to more than 300,000 within a single year.
Otti revealed the figures during the January edition of his monthly media briefing, labelled “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians,” held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia. The governor’s statement was later issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, on Friday.
According to the governor, the remarkable increase is a direct result of reforms being implemented by his administration to make education more accessible and affordable across the state.
“That’s exactly the kind of result we expect. It’s good news. The recruitment of 4,000 additional teachers is on at the moment. We are paying a lot of attention to make sure that things move smoothly,” Otti said, emphasising that the government is actively responding to the rapidly growing student population with expanded staffing.
Governor Otti said his administration would sustain efforts to ensure public education remains both accessible and affordable. He cited ongoing reconstruction and renovation works at key institutions as evidence of the government’s commitment. Among those institutions are Abia State University (ABSU) and the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu.
“The renovation, rebuilding and retrofitting of hostels and offices are still ongoing,” he said, stressing that major capital works are underway to improve the learning environment for students.
The governor also highlighted other infrastructure projects near completion, including the Omenuko Bridge and the Abam–Okobo–Amuvi–Arochukwu Road. He announced plans to soon flag off reconstruction of Uratta Road and the Old Express Road as part of a broader push to complete the recovery of Aba city.
In tandem with education and transport initiatives, Otti unveiled housing projects aimed at civil servants. He said pocket layout housing estates would commence soon in Mbaisii, Mgbarakuma and Ubakala communities.
Turning to tourism, the governor disclosed that the state had struck a partnership to digitally register and rate hotels and hospitality facilities using global positioning systems, enabling users to access hotel information and rates “at the click of a button.”
Otti also announced a pilot biogas project at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, intended to turn waste into renewable energy, a move he said could help power communities within the Umuahia ring fence.
In the healthcare sector, Otti said 200 primary healthcare centres under Project Ekwueme Phase One had been completed and many were already functional. He noted that over 600 health workers had recently been recruited to meet care delivery standards.
The governor also announced the award of a contract for a new general hospital in Ndoki, Ukwa East, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to expanding health infrastructure.
Otti said the CKC Aba water project was nearing completion and would soon be commissioned. He added that additional water supply schemes in Ariaria and Umuahia would be launched soon.
“The water project at Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, is about 90 per cent completed and will supply water to other parts of Arochukwu,” the governor stated.
The briefing was attended by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, members of the State Executive Council and other aides of the governor.
