By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has disclosed that enrolment in public schools across the state has risen from 117,000 to over 300,000 within one year, attributing the increase to reforms introduced by his administration in the education sector.
The Governor made the disclosure on Thursday, 29 January, 2026 during the January edition of his monthly media briefing, “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians,” held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia.
The details were contained in a statement issued on Friday, 30 January, 2026, by his Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha.
According to Otti, the sharp rise in enrolment reflects renewed public confidence in government-owned schools following policy interventions aimed at improving access, quality and affordability.
“That’s exactly the kind of result we expect. It’s good news,” the governor said. He added that the recruitment of 4,000 additional teachers was ongoing to strengthen the system and accommodate the growing number of learners.
“We are paying a lot of attention to make sure that things move smoothly,” he noted.
Otti assured that investments in education would be sustained, disclosing 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.
Beyond education, the Governor said several infrastructure projects were nearing completion. These include the Omenuko Bridge and the Abam Okobo-Amuvi-Arochukwu Road. He added that the reconstruction of Uratta Road and the Old Express Road would soon be flagged off to complete the recovery of Aba.
In addition, he announced plans to commence the construction of pocket layout housing estates in Mbaisii, Mgbarakuma and Ubakala.
Turning to tourism and hospitality, Otti revealed that the state had entered into a partnership to digitally register and rate hotels and hospitality facilities using global positioning systems.
“In the next few months, all the hotels in the state will be accessed using GPS and verified criteria used to classify hotels, guest houses and lodges,” he said. “At the click of a button, you can see the hotels, get their rates and make your choice.”
The Governor also disclosed that a pilot biogas project was being launched at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, to convert waste into renewable energy.
“This is a pilot programme. Instead of disposing waste, we can turn it into clean energy and power more places, particularly within the Umuahia ring fence,” he explained.
On healthcare, Otti said 200 primary healthcare centres completed under Project Ekwueme Phase One were already functional, while preparations were underway to commence Phase Two.
“We insist that before any primary healthcare centre is opened, it must meet minimum standards and have healthcare professionals,” he said, adding that over 600 health workers had recently been recruited.
He further announced the award of a contract for the construction of a new general hospital in Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area.
On water supply, the Governor said the CKC Aba water project was almost completed and would soon be commissioned. He added that additional water schemes in Ariaria and Umuahia would soon be flagged off.
“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,” he said.
The briefing was attended by the state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, members of the state Executive Council and other aides of the Governor.
