The Abia State Government has announced that starting from January 2025, all children in the state will have access to free and compulsory education from Primary One to Junior Secondary School.
This policy will apply to all children residing in Abia, regardless of their state of origin.
Announcing this after a State Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, explained that the decision is part of Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to improving education across Abia.
“In line with the Abia Child’s Rights Law of 2006, it’s now an offence for parents not to send their children or wards to school because the government has made education free and compulsory,” Kanu said. He warned that parents who ignore this policy will face legal consequences.
Kanu encouraged parents to take advantage of the free education policy, adding, “Education is free in Abia State till the end of Junior Secondary School. There is no reason whatsoever why parents will not send their children to school. Starting from January 1, 2025, defaulting parents will be prosecuted under the law.”
This policy aims to support educational inclusivity and improve academic infrastructure in line with Governor Otti’s earlier declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector.
In addition to education reforms, the government announced that it will relocate the Law Faculty of Abia State University from the Umuahia campus back to the main campus in Uturu. Kanu noted that this decision is final and serves the overall public interest, assuring that concerns related to the relocation will be addressed.
The state government also revealed plans to rehabilitate nine more roads across Abia to enhance infrastructure. Detailed information on these projects will be shared soon.
