Governor Alex Otti has commissioned Abia State’s second Smart School, describing the project as a strategic investment in the future of the state’s children and urging pupils to embrace hard work, innovation and academic excellence.
The ultramodern facility, located at Umuomaiukwu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, was inaugurated on Tuesday alongside renowned author, academic and poet, Prof. Okey Ndibe, as part of the Otti administration’s drive to revolutionise basic education through technology-driven learning.
Addressing pupils at the commissioning ceremony, the governor said the state had removed every financial barrier to quality education and challenged them to make the most of the opportunity.
“You have no excuse not to do well in your academics. Education is a sure foundation for fulfilment,” Otti declared.
“Study harder than anyone else, ask questions, open your minds to learning and let nothing hold you back.
“You do not have to worry about fees because everything has been provided by the government free of charge,” he added.
Governor Otti said the Smart School initiative is designed to expand access to quality education while promoting experiential learning, creativity and innovation among young learners.
He assured pupils that exceptional academic performance would earn beneficiaries local and international scholarships as well as other incentives, stressing that his administration remains committed to rewarding excellence.
The governor also warned against the vandalisation of public facilities, saying anyone caught damaging government property would be prosecuted.
He disclosed that the school is equipped with 24-hour internet connectivity and CCTV surveillance systems to guarantee security and provide a technology-enabled learning environment.
Reaffirming education as the cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda, Otti expressed confidence that the Smart School programme would produce a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders capable of driving Abia’s future growth.
Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Okey Ndibe, commended the governor for prioritising education and making strategic investments that would transform the state’s human capital.
He described Otti as a leader with an outstanding record of excellence, noting that his academic achievements, successful banking career and stewardship as governor reflect purposeful leadership.
According to Ndibe, no investment yields greater returns than education, urging Abians to sustain the current pace of development by supporting visionary leadership.
Also speaking, the member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, Hon. Collins Iheonunekwu, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, described the Smart School initiative as a transformational project that would improve learning outcomes and prepare Abia children to compete globally.
The duo assured the governor that the people of Nsulu and the wider Isiala Ngwa North area would reciprocate his developmental strides with overwhelming support in the 2027 elections.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, described the commissioning as another milestone in Abia’s education reform agenda.
He said the Smart School initiative reflects the governor’s vision of repositioning education through innovation, digital technology and sustainable infrastructure.
According to him, the schools integrate artificial intelligence, virtual reality, adaptive learning technologies and renewable energy to create a modern, future-ready learning environment.
Providing an overview of the project, the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs. Lydia Ezihe Onuoha, described the initiative as a paradigm shift in basic education.
She said the Smart School is designed to deliver inclusive, technology-driven education while ensuring sustainability through effective maintenance and community ownership.
Onuoha added that the facility includes a dedicated room for girls to provide privacy and support for menstrual hygiene management.
In her goodwill message, the Managing Director of Blue Giraffe, Chief Mrs. Orieji Okwara-Emele, disclosed that the Umuomaiukwu Smart School can accommodate more than 300 pupils and is fully internet-enabled.
She thanked Governor Otti for embracing the smart school model after previously commissioning a privately developed facility and expanding the concept across the state.
The commissioning ceremony attracted senior government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders and jubilant members of the host community, who hailed the project as another milestone in Abia’s educational transformation.
