Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has disclosed that enrolment in public schools across the state has risen from 117,000 to over 300,000 within the last one year, attributing the increase to renewed confidence in the public education system.
The governor made the disclosure on Thursday 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 briefing was attended by members of the State Executive Council and senior government officials.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha, Otti said the surge in enrolment was a direct outcome of reforms introduced by his administration to improve learning conditions and access to education.
Describing the development as encouraging, the governor said the recruitment of 4,000 additional teachers was currently ongoing to meet growing demand and improve teaching quality. He assured that the process would be transparent and carefully managed to ensure efficiency.
Otti said the government would continue to prioritise education by making it affordable and accessible, noting that reconstruction and renovation works were ongoing in key tertiary institutions, including Abia State University and the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu.
Beyond education, the governor highlighted progress in infrastructure, revealing that projects such as the Omenuko Bridge and the Abam–Okobo–Amuvi–Arochukwu Road were nearing completion. He added that reconstruction works on Uratta Road and the Old Express Road would soon commence as part of efforts to fully restore Aba.
Otti also announced plans to develop pocket housing estates in Mbaisii, Mgbarakuma and Ubakala, alongside initiatives in tourism, renewable energy and healthcare. He disclosed that 200 primary healthcare centres under Project Ekwueme Phase One had been completed, with preparations underway for Phase Two.
On water supply, the governor said major water schemes in Aba, Umuahia and Arochukwu were nearing completion and would soon be commissioned.
