Abia State Governor Alex Otti has offered automatic lecturing appointments to all first-class graduates of Abia State University, Uturu, as graduate assistants.
The governor announced the development on Friday during the institution’s 30th to 32nd combined convocation ceremony.
Otti also approved postgraduate scholarships up to doctoral level for all first-class graduates from the affected sets.
“I am glad to announce that approval has been given to the university management to immediately commence the process of retaining all first-class graduates as graduate assistants, subject to the completion of their National Youth Service.
This privilege shall also be extended to the best graduating students across departments, provided their cumulative grade point average is at least 4.25.”
“Additionally, all first-class graduates across the three convocations shall be awarded postgraduate scholarships to any public university of their choice within the country up to doctorate level, subject to the acceptance of the teaching offer,” he said.
The governor further directed the state Head of Service to identify gaps in the civil service that could accommodate 100 exceptional graduates from the three sets.
He added that priority would be given to graduates in Education, Computer Science, Statistics, Health and Medical Sciences, and other critical fields, subject to the completion of the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Otti also disclosed that N200 million had been earmarked to support up to 100 graduates with innovative business ideas, with proposals particularly in agriculture, ICT, and clean energy to be submitted electronically on or before April 30, 2026.
He congratulated the graduands and presented a personal cash gift of N5 million to the overall best graduating student, Oluchi Etumsi.
The governor also congratulated honorary award recipients, including Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Allen Onyema, and Stella Okoli, urging them to uphold the values associated with their recognition.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to repositioning the university, noting that investment in education remains critical to societal development, and also flagged off the reconstruction of the Abia State University International Secondary School.
In her remarks, the Chancellor, Catherine Uju-Ifejika, commended the governor for his support, noting that his commitment to education reflects an understanding of its role in shaping future leaders.
The Pro-Chancellor, Agwu U. Agwu, described the graduands’ achievements as a testament to perseverance and excellence, adding that the governor’s interventions were helping reposition the institution globally.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, lauded the governor for improving staff welfare, including clearing salary backlogs, noting that salaries are now paid promptly.
He listed ongoing projects in the university to include a new Faculty of Law, 5,000-capacity male and female hostels, road construction, solar-powered streetlights, and the supply of engineering equipment.
The convocation was attended by vice-chancellors of other universities, academics, and senior government officials.
