Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abia State, Nigeria
In a major policy shift, Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced free and compulsory education for all children from Primary 1 to Junior Secondary School 3, in every public school in the state, regardless of their state of Origin, effective from January 2025 .
Truth Live News gathered that the key policy are
Entirely free from P1 to JSS3 in all public schools
Non-compliant parents/guardians may face prosecution under the Abia Child’s Rights Law (2006) .
This applies to both indigenes and non-indigenes residing in the state .
On 26 February 2025, Governor Otti launched AbiaFIRST (Abia Fostering Innovation Reform School Transformation), a wide-ranging initiative aimed at revitalizing education in the state.
Infrastructure enhancement, Renovation of existing schools and building of new “model” institutions, including the first smart school, equipped with ICT facilities and solar-powered systems .
Teacher recruitment & training, Recruitment of quality teachers and training for approximately 8,000 teachers on modern pedagogical methods .
Curriculum overhaul, Integration of digital learning, STEAM subjects, TVET pathways, and updated curricula to address skills gaps .
Monitoring & evaluation, Establishment of systems to track performance improvements and curb examination malpractice .
. Incentives & welfare, Enhanced teacher remuneration and incentives to retain high-calibre educators .
Governor Otti’s administration allocated ₦120 billion for education in its 2025 budget to support the programme . Over 200 model schools are slated for rebuilding and equipping to world-class standards .
Critical partnerships with UNESCO, World Bank, and the British Council have been established to fund capacity-building and institutional strengthening . The Education Reform and Innovation Team (ERIT), a group of about 180 specialists, has been working since 2023 to spearhead the transformation .
The expected impact would be seen in
increased enrollment. The combined effect of free education, improved infrastructure, and more teachers is expected to boost student numbers significantly.
Secondly, quality of uplift with a new emphasis on digitalisation, teacher excellence, and infrastructure that aims to deliver higher learning standards and better student outcomes.
Vocational training and STEAM integration aim to reduce unemployment by preparing a future-ready workforce .
On social media, many Nigerians are hopeful, though cautious. one user remarked:
“Better late than never!!! …Saying something is one thing, implementing is another. I really hope this comes to fruition.”
This reflects optimism tempered by calls for accountability, realistic timelines, and sustained funding.
Governor Alex Otti’s bold move to declare free and compulsory basic education, backed by the innovative AbiaFIRST programme, marks a transformative leap for Abia State’s education system and inspires other states in the right direction.
With significant funding, infrastructural upgrades, modern teaching methods, and strong international partnerships, the state is poised to become a model of educational excellence in Nigeria, provided consistent implementation and vigilant oversight follow.