By Kolawole Omotola
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced automatic employment and postgraduate scholarship opportunities for first-class graduates of Abia State University, Uturu, as part of efforts to reward academic excellence and strengthen the state’s workforce.
The governor made the disclosure on Friday during the institution’s combined 30th to 32nd convocation ceremony, where he directed the university management to begin the immediate recruitment of all first-class graduates as graduate assistants, pending the completion of their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Otti also extended the gesture to outstanding graduates across departments who attained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 4.25, noting that the initiative was designed to retain the best talents within the academic system.
In addition, the governor approved full postgraduate scholarships for all first-class graduates from the affected sets, covering studies up to the doctoral level in any public university of their choice within Nigeria. The scholarship, he said, would be tied to their acceptance of the teaching appointments offered by the state.
Beyond the academic appointments, Otti instructed the Head of Service to identify vacancies within the civil service that could absorb up to 100 exceptional graduates from the institution. He stated that priority would be given to candidates in critical fields such as Education, Computer Science, Statistics, and Health-related disciplines after completing their NYSC.
To further encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, the governor revealed that N200 million had been set aside to support young graduates with viable business ideas. He urged interested candidates to submit proposals, particularly in agriculture, ICT, and clean energy, before the April 30, 2026 deadline.
As part of the ceremony, Otti presented a personal cash award of N5 million to the overall best graduating student, Oluchi Etumsi, while congratulating other graduands for their academic achievements.
He also commended recipients of honorary awards at the event, urging them to continue upholding the values associated with their recognition.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, the governor stressed that sustained investment in the sector remains vital for societal growth and development. He also flagged off the reconstruction of the university’s International Secondary School.
In her remarks, the Chancellor, Catherine Uju-Ifejika, praised the governor’s interventions, describing them as a clear demonstration of his dedication to nurturing future leaders through quality education.
Similarly, the Pro-Chancellor, Agwu U. Agwu, noted that the achievements of the graduating students reflected resilience and excellence, adding that ongoing reforms were positioning the institution for global relevance.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, acknowledged improvements in staff welfare under the current administration, including the clearance of salary arrears and timely payment of wages. He also highlighted several ongoing infrastructure projects, such as new hostels, road construction, solar-powered streetlights, and the development of a Faculty of Law.
The convocation ceremony drew attendance from academics, vice-chancellors of other universities, and top government officials.
