Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced plans to recruit 4,000 additional teachers, bringing the total number of new hires for the state’s primary and secondary schools to 9,394.
Speaking during the June edition of his media chat, “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” held Thursday night at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti said the first batch of 5,394 teachers is currently undergoing orientation in Aba and Umuahia and will soon be deployed.
The next phase of recruitment, he added, will begin immediately after the orientation, with application portals set to reopen soon.
“We are preparing our schools for the next academic session, especially with the significant increase in enrollment since the introduction of free and compulsory education,” Otti said.
The state government launched its free and compulsory education policy in January, covering primary to junior secondary school, regardless of a child’s state of origin.
The governor emphasized the importance of recruiting quality teachers and reiterated his administration’s commitment to renovating schools across all levels. He noted that 20 schools are being converted into smart schools, with work already in progress.
On healthcare, Otti said the renovation of 200 primary health centers across the state’s 17 local government areas is nearing completion. He assured residents that facilities will be properly equipped before being commissioned.
“The kind of medical equipment you expect in developed countries is already in Abia. We won’t open these centers without fully equipping them,” he stated.
Highlighting achievements in other areas—including security, infrastructure, and sanitation—Otti urged residents to support his administration’s vision of building a “New Abia.”
