In a state deemed to be the most developing in the south East zone, the unthinkable is happening in its education sector.
Many public primary schools are currently at deplorable condition, most of which have been so even before the current administration.
Surprisingly this is happening when the state has earmarked 20% for education in the 2026 budget.
However, at Umuaro Community Primary School, Obingwa in the state, pupils are seen sitting on a bare floor to receive their lessons.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the authorities have continued to promise them a better since over six years without any fulfilment.
One of the teachers who spoke to our reporter under the condition of anonymity said that ” we have been in this condition for years now. We thought that the present administration will provide classrooms for us but he had not done so.”
Explaining further, the teacher stressed that ” we are still optimistic that Gov Alex Otti will renovate these dilapidated buildings and provide decent classrooms for our teachers and pupils.”
A resident of the community Janny Linda Ozochi told WITHIN NIGERIA that she was saddened by the deplorable condition of the school infrastructure.
“Governor Alex Otti, I am crying as I say this.
“How do you reconcile this image with your government’s own records that show ₦100 billion spent on repairs of public schools? ₦100bn while children are still sitting on the floor like this What exactly was repaired?Which schools were fixed? Where did the money go? This is sad.”
Lamenting further, Miss Ozochi questioned the local government chairman for such neglect.
“Chairman Maxwell Nwadike, you are the Local Government Chairman of Obingwa. These are your children.
“How do you sleep at night knowing that children in your LGA still learn like this in 2026?
“Where is the basic conscience that should come with leadership?
“No child deserves to be treated this way.
“No government should be comfortable seeing this and issuing press statements.
“Education is not about speeches. It is not about social media graphics.It is not about attacking critics.It is about classrooms, desks, chairs, roofs, and dignity.”
Appealing to Governor Otti, she said “Governor Otti, please, I am not insulting you.I am begging you. Look at this picture. Look at these children.
Then look at your budget. If ₦100 billion cannot put chairs under these children, then something is terribly, wrong. History will not remember explanations.It will remember images like this. And this image is a national shame.”
Gov. Otti speaks on education in the state
In any case, the Abia state governor, Alex Otti has said that the state has been positioned to be trail blazer in education.
In a monthly media chat on Thursday, Gov. Otti said that he was thrilled by the high number of pupils’ enrolment in public primary schools in the state
According to him “enrolment in public primary and secondary schools in the state has increased by more than 100 per cent, from about 117,000 to over 300,000 within one year.”
He attributed the growth to reforms by his administration that were aimed at making education accessible and affordable.
“We will continue with our push to make education available and affordable to every Nigerian living here.
“The positive results coming out from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education show that enrolment has moved from about 117,000 people a year ago, to over 300,000 as at the end of last month.
“That is exactly the kind of result we expect. It is good news,” the governor said.
Stressing further, he said that the government had intensified reconstruction and renovation work at Abia State University, Uturu; Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu; Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba; and other state-owned tertiary institutions.
According to him, some renovated hostels at ABSU are already in use.
He also said that the ongoing recruitment of 4,000 additional teachers by the government formed part of its efforts to strengthen the education sector.
