Abia State Government Boosts Higher Education
...Approves Recruitment of Lecturers, N800M Engineering Equipment for ABSU
The Abia State Government has approved the recruitment of new lecturers across various disciplines to fill vacant academic positions in Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen higher education in the state.
Also approved is the procurement of state-of-the-art engineering equipment worth N800 million for the institution’s engineering faculty.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed these developments while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia.
Prince Kanu recalled that Governor Otti had pledged to renovate key infrastructure at ABSU, particularly the Male Hostel. He revealed that the renovation work is nearly complete and will be ready before the end of May. Additionally, construction has commenced on a new 5,000-capacity hostel to further ease accommodation challenges.
The Commissioner also celebrated ABSU’s strong performance in the recent accreditation exercise conducted by the National Universities Commission (NUC). According to him, the university secured full accreditation in all its programmes assessed during the October/November 2024 exercise, including Law, Agriculture, Mass Communication, and Educational Management and Planning.
In a related development, the government has approved the long-overdue promotion of staff at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, who had not been promoted since 2008. Payment of salary arrears to sacked and resigned staff of the polytechnic has also commenced, in line with Governor Otti’s directive.
Highlighting academic excellence, Prince Kanu noted that the institution achieved a 100% pass rate in the first phase of the 2nd National Institute of Science, Laboratory, and Technology modular practical exams. In the second phase, 157 out of 158 students passed, recording a 99% success rate.
He further noted the institution’s technological progress, citing the development of an online clearance platform for students, which eliminates the need for physical presence during clearance processes. He also announced that the polytechnic is currently reviewing its curriculum to include cutting-edge programmes such as Artificial Intelligence.
On other educational matters, Prince Kanu revealed that a panel has been inaugurated to investigate the suspended Provost of ASCETA and that construction projects in the school are in progress.
He also announced that the State Executive Council has given approval for the employment of 5,300 teachers who have successfully passed the first phase of the recruitment process. A second phase of teacher recruitment will soon begin, with the application portal expected to open in the coming days.
