Public School Enrolment In Abia Jumps From 117,000 To Over 300,000 — Otti
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced a dramatic rise in public school enrolment, revealing that student numbers have increased from 117,000 to over 300,000 within one year of his administration.
Otti disclosed this on Thursday during the January edition of his monthly media briefing, “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians,” held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha.
According to Otti, the surge in enrolment reflects renewed public confidence in government-owned schools following sweeping reforms in the education sector.
“That’s exactly the kind of result we expect. It’s good news,” the governor said. “The recruitment of 4,000 additional teachers is ongoing, and we are paying close attention to ensure the process runs smoothly.”
He assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise accessible and affordable education, noting that reconstruction and renovation works were ongoing at key institutions, including Abia State University and the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu.
“The renovation, rebuilding and retrofitting of hostels and offices are still ongoing,” he said.
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Beyond education, Otti said several infrastructure projects were nearing completion, including the Omenuko Bridge and the Abam–Okobo–Amuvi–Arochukwu Road, while reconstruction of Uratta Road and the Old Express Road would soon be flagged off to complete the recovery of Aba.
He also announced plans to develop pocket layout housing estates in Mbaisii, Mgbarakuma and Ubakala.
In the tourism and hospitality sector, the governor revealed that the state had partnered with private stakeholders to digitally register and rate hotels using Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
“In the next few months, all hotels in the state will be digitally accessed, classified and verified, allowing residents and visitors to view facilities and rates at the click of a button,” Otti said.
On renewable energy, the governor disclosed that a pilot biogas project was being launched at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, to convert waste into clean energy.
“Instead of disposing waste, we can turn it into clean energy and power more places, particularly within the Umuahia ring fence,” he added.
Addressing healthcare, Otti said 200 primary healthcare centres under Project Ekwueme Phase One had been completed, with many already operational, while plans were underway for Phase Two.
“We insist that before any primary healthcare centre is opened, it must meet minimum standards and be properly staffed,” he said, adding that over 600 health workers had recently been recruited.
He also announced the award of a contract for a new general hospital in Ndoki, Ukwa East.
On water supply, Otti said the CKC Aba water project was nearing completion and would soon be commissioned, while additional schemes in Ariaria and Umuahia would be flagged off.
“The water project at Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, is about 90 per cent completed and will serve surrounding communities,” he said.
The briefing was attended by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, members of the State Executive Council and senior government aides.