Alex Otti has approved automatic lecturing appointments for all first-class graduates of Abia State University, Uturu, offering them positions as graduate assistants. The governor made the announcement during the institution’s combined 30th to 32nd convocation ceremony, where he also approved postgraduate scholarships up to doctoral level for all first-class graduates from the affected sets.
He explained that the appointments would take effect after the completion of the National Youth Service Corps scheme. The offer will also extend to top-performing graduates across departments with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 4.25. Otti further directed the state’s Head of Service to identify roles within the civil service for up to 100 outstanding graduates, with priority given to disciplines such as education, computer science, statistics, and health-related fields.
In addition, the governor set aside N200 million to support about 100 graduates with innovative business ideas, particularly in agriculture, ICT, and clean energy. He urged interested candidates to submit their proposals before the April 30, 2026 deadline. He also rewarded the overall best graduating student, Oluchi Etumsi, with a personal cash gift of N5 million and congratulated honorary award recipients including Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Allen Onyema, and Stella Okoli.
Reaffirming his administration’s focus on education, Otti said sustained investment in the sector is essential for long-term development. He also flagged off the reconstruction of the university’s International Secondary School. In her remarks, Chancellor Catherine Uju-Ifejika praised the governor’s commitment, while Pro-Chancellor Agwu U. Agwu described the initiative as a boost to the institution’s global standing.
Vice-Chancellor Ndukwe Okeudo also commended the government’s efforts, highlighting improvements in staff welfare, including the clearing of salary backlogs and prompt payment of wages. He added that ongoing projects at the university include the construction of a Faculty of Law, new hostels, road infrastructure, solar-powered streetlights, and upgraded engineering facilities.
Source: https://punchng.com/
