Otti Announces N1bn Fund for Abia Teachers

Abia Gov. Alex Otti has announced a N1 billion Teachers’ Appreciation Fund for teachers across the state and ordered the immediate settlement of outstanding check-off dues and salary arrears owed to teachers.

Otti made the announcement on Monday at the Michael Okpara Event Centre, Umuahia, during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration, following demands presented by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia Council, Comrade Madu ChukwuJekwu.

The governor directed the Accountant-General of the state to distribute the fund equally among teachers, describing it as appreciation for their contributions to the development of Abia and the upbringing of children.

On check-off dues, Otti directed the Accountant-General to ensure that all outstanding payments were settled within seven days.

“If check-off dues have not been paid, maybe you have not provided the account because the money is sitting there,” Otti said.

The governor also directed that salaries withheld from teachers due to verification issues be paid on or before the end of October. He further ordered the immediate payment of salary arrears owed to 4,075 newly recruited teachers, directing that the payments be made before the end of the month.

On outstanding 2021 and 2022 promotions, Otti said he understood that the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) was already working to conclude the process.

He directed ASUBEB to harmonise the promotion exercise with the Head of Service and submit it for approval, insisting that the process must be completed by the end of October.

Otti also directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to reinstate teachers below 65 years who had been disengaged, saying they should be returned to service even if they had only six months left before retirement.

“I have given the approval from here. Please bring all of them back. Even if it is six months before retirement, bring them back. You don’t need further approval,” the governor said.

Otti said his administration remained committed to fairness and transparency, thanking teachers for their large turnout at the celebration and describing their presence as a demonstration of commitment to government and the education sector.

The governor said his administration was also introducing modern approaches to education through the development of Smart Schools across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.

“The whole idea is not to supplant traditional education, but to make the future of education available to our children. They can always have a choice,” he said.

Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to free and compulsory education and congratulated Abia students who performed well in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

“We want to congratulate our children who did well in WAEC and NECO. We want to let you know that we are just beginning. You will see more results as time goes on,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, said the 2026 World Teachers’ Day theme highlighted the important role of teachers in shaping society’s future.

Ubochi said the Otti administration had prioritised teacher recruitment, professional development, school infrastructure, modern learning environments and Smart Schools, adding that technology was being integrated into teaching and learning to strengthen, rather than replace, teachers.

In goodwill messages, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, and Labour Party candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, congratulated the teachers and commended their commitment to the administration’s education reforms.

Earlier, NUT Chairman, Abia Council, Comrade Madu ChukwuJekwu, commended Otti for what he described as efforts to reposition the education sector, citing the recruitment of more than 9,000 teachers, payment of inherited salary arrears, regular payment of salaries and allocation of 20 per cent of the annual budget to education.

ChukwuJekwu highlighted challenges confronting teachers and expressed confidence that the governor would address them, while assuring him of the teachers’ continued support.

The celebration was attended by elected officials, council chairmen and senior government appointees.