…Otti Offers ₦500,000 Reward to First-Class Graduates
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has congratulated 81 beneficiaries of the seventh cohort of the Alex Otti Foundation Scholarship Scheme for emerging successful from a competitive selection process involving more than 5,000 applicants for the 2026 edition.
Governor Otti who spoke at the 2026 Scholarship Banquet held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, said the scheme was strictly merit-based.
The Governor noted that the scheme is designed to support academically outstanding students who genuinely needed financial assistance to pursue their education.
He explained that the selection process was structured to ensure that the scholarship reached only deserving students.
Governor Otti urged the beneficiaries to recognise the responsibility that came with the opportunity and meet the expectations of society.
The Governor who disclosed that the foundation had sustained the scholarship programme since 2009, also announced a financial reward of ₦500,000 for each scholar who graduated with a first-class degree.
He congratulated the scholars on their achievement, saying their success had brought pride to their families and the wider society and encouraged them to remain focused on their academic pursuits.
Governor Otti cited the example of a former beneficiary who graduated with first-class honours in Marine Engineering and is now pursuing a PhD in the United States, describing the scholar’s progress as an example of the opportunities the programme could create.
The Governor who reflected on his political journey, which began in 2014, said his emergence as governor was part of God’s plan to lead Abia at a time when the state needed to recover from years of decay and rebuild its institutions.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Augustine Okezie, commended Governor Otti for sustaining the scholarship scheme even before assuming office as governor.
Okezie urged the beneficiaries to justify the investment in their education by striving for excellence and making meaningful contributions to society through their chosen professions.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Alex Otti Foundation, Mr Chidi Nnanna, described the 2026 scholarship banquet as exceptional, noting that the 81 beneficiaries were selected from more than 5,000 applicants through a rigorous screening process.
Nnanna disclosed that a total of 302 scholars had benefited from the foundation’s scholarship programme, reaffirming its commitment to supporting students with the academic ability and financial need to pursue their education.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Makuochukwu, Emerald Arungwa and Anointing Iroka described the scholarship as a dream come true and thanked Governor Otti for investing in their future through the foundation.
They pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them by the governor and their families, promising to excel in their studies and make meaningful contributions to society.
