Over 700,000 Children Benefiting from Free Basic Education in Abia – Governor Otti
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has disclosed that more than 700,000 children are currently benefiting from the state’s free and compulsory basic education policy, which came into full effect on January 1, 2024.
The Governor made the revelation during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, where he highlighted the remarkable surge in school enrolment since the policy was implemented. He noted that the significant increase in the number of pupils had prompted the urgent recruitment of thousands of teachers to meet the demand for quality education delivery across the state.
“In response to this enrolment boom, we initially hired 5,000 teachers,” Otti said. “However, due to the continued increase in pupil numbers, we have now approved the recruitment of an additional 4,000 teachers.”
The Governor assured that all teacher recruitments are being carried out through a transparent and merit-based process, ensuring that only qualified educators are deployed to classrooms.
Dr. Otti also emphasized that the state government is making significant investments in capacity building for teachers, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). According to him, this is in line with the administration’s vision of preparing Abia children for a technology-driven future.
“Our goal is to equip children to thrive in today’s tech-driven world—one of AI, robotics, and electric cars,” he said. “We are not just focused on putting children in classrooms; we are committed to giving them the right tools to succeed in the 21st century.”
Since its launch in early 2024, the free basic education policy has covered school fees, learning materials, and other hidden costs that often keep children out of school. The government has also embarked on aggressive rehabilitation and construction of classroom blocks, provision of school furniture, and strengthening of school inspection units to improve learning standards across the state.
The initiative, Governor Otti said, is part of the broader mission to break the cycle of poverty and unlock the potential of the next generation. “Education remains our most powerful weapon for sustainable development,” he added.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making Abia a model for accessible, quality education in Nigeria.
