Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, is set to commission three fully rehabilitated hostels and flag off five major development projects at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, as part of activities marking the institution’s upcoming convocation ceremony.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the governor.
Kanu said the projects slated for commissioning include the renovation of Hostels A, B and C, which have been extensively upgraded to enhance student accommodation and overall living conditions. He noted that the development reflects the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure in public tertiary institutions across the state.
Beyond the completed hostels, the governor will also perform groundbreaking ceremonies for several new projects within the university. These include a proposed Faculty of Law, a modern cafeteria, purpose-built hostels with a 5,000-bed capacity for male and female students, and a new Faculty of Agriculture.
According to Kanu, the initiatives form part of a broader strategy to reposition ABSU as a competitive academic institution capable of attracting more students and highly qualified faculty.
He further highlighted recent progress in the state’s tertiary education sector, revealing that ABSU and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, have recorded significant student intake. ABSU recently matriculated 7,533 students, while the polytechnic admitted 5,100 students, a development he said demonstrates growing public confidence in the institutions.
Kanu also announced that the convocation ceremony will host several distinguished Nigerians, including the Ooni of Ife, Allen Onyema, Stella Okoli and former Minister of Science and Technology, Barth Nnaji. Some of the dignitaries are expected to receive honorary degrees, while Nnaji will deliver the convocation lecture.
In a related development, the commissioner disclosed that the ABSU campus in Osisioma has been officially handed over to Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic to expand its capacity and improve access to technical education.
Speaking on broader infrastructure efforts, Kanu said the state government has approved funding for ongoing projects and initiated new ones across multiple sectors. He added that urban beautification plans are underway to improve the outlook of Umuahia.
He also noted that the establishment of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority is aimed at extending development beyond Aba and Umuahia to ensure balanced growth across the state.
Kanu revealed that road construction and direct labour projects are currently ongoing at 51 locations across Abia, underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving connectivity and boosting economic activities.
Overall, he said the projects at ABSU and across the state highlight the government’s focus on education, infrastructure and sustainable development as key pillars of its agenda.
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