Governor Alex Otti has commissioned major infrastructure projects and launched new initiatives at Abia State University as part of attempts to reposition the university for future growth and innovation.
During a visit to Uturu University, the governor inaugurated a restored 5MVA power station, which was improved from 2.5MVA and would provide steady electricity to the campus and adjacent villages. He also completed three converted hostels to enhance student housing.
Otti also launched the development of new facilities, including 5,000-bed hostels for both male and female students, new buildings for the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Law, and a 1.8-kilometer internal road project.
The governor offered first-class graduates automatic lecture positions as Graduate Assistants upon completion of their NYSC during the simultaneous convocation event. Additionally, he announced chances for top-performing graduates at public universities around Nigeria to receive postgraduate scholarships up to the PhD level.
Otti announced a ₦200 million business grant to encourage entrepreneurship, aimed at 100 graduates with creative ideas in fields including clean energy, ICT, and agriculture.
Ooni of Ife, Allen Onyema, Stella Okoli, and the institution’s top graduating student were among the prominent honourees honoured at the ceremony.
On X, he wrote …
“Yesterday at Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), I was honoured to be received by a mammoth crowd of vibrant students as we commissioned landmark projects and unveiled bold initiatives that will shape the future of our great institution.
* Commissioned a refurbished 5 MVA Power Station (upgraded from 2.5 MVA) to ensure steady electricity supply for ABSU, Uturu, and adjoining communities.
* Delivered 3 retrofitted hostels (A, B & C) to improve student living conditions.
* Flagged off construction of:
– 5,000-bed Female Hostel
– 5,000-bed Male Hostel
– Faculty of Agriculture & Faculty of Law buildings
– 1.8km Internal Road Project
At the 30th–32nd Combined Convocation Ceremony, I also announced:
– Automatic lecturing jobs for all First-Class graduates as Graduate Assistants (after NYSC).
– Postgraduate scholarships up to PhD level for First-Class graduates in public universities nationwide.
– A ₦200 million Business Grant to support 100 graduates with innovative enterprise ideas in agriculture, ICT, clean energy, and more.
We also celebrated our best graduating student, Mrs. Oluchi Etumsi, with a personal token, and congratulated our distinguished honourees including His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Barr. Dr. Allen Onyema, and Dr. Stella Okoli.
Education remains the bedrock of our vision for Abia State. We are committed to building institutions that inspire excellence, innovation, and leadership.
Step by step, project by project, ABSU is being transformed into a hub of innovation, excellence, and leadership.”
