Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has stressed the need for urgent curriculum reform in Nigeria’s education system, warning that outdated academic content cannot prepare students for a technology-driven global economy.
Governor Otti made this known on Thursday while receiving the President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Pius Olarenwaju, and members of the Institute at his office in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The Governor who commended the Institute for updating its curriculum, said Abia State was willing to adopt CIBN’s framework across its tertiary institutions.
He noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing had reshaped the global economy, making curriculum reform critical.
“I want to congratulate you for the changes that you have also made, particularly in curriculum.
You’ll find that the world keeps changing every day.
“So if you have curricula that were drafted in 2004, and then this is 2026, you’ll be teaching people camera in the 21st century.
“So that’s also what we are doing here, but the most important job for us in the educational sector is curricula.
“Then what are you teaching them is also as important, because today we talk about artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing and then you are still struggling with the knowledge of yesteryears.
“So I am happy that you have done that and if we have an opportunity to have a look at what you did.
“We also want to domesticate it in the institutions here, at Abia State University, Uturu and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, even the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
“We don’t believe in reinventing the wheel therefore if you have solved the problem, we just take the solution and that is important”, Governor Otti added.
The Governor also highlighted reforms in the State’s Education sector, including free and compulsory education, which he said had led to over a 100 per cent increase in school enrolment.
He disclosed that his government had recruited 5,394 teachers and was currently employing an additional 4,000 from over 29,000 applicants, stressing that the process was strictly merit-based.
According to the Governor, continuous learning remains essential to personal and societal development.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained development and stronger collaboration with the CIBN.
Earlier, Prof. Olarenwaju said CIBN remained committed to youth development through curriculum reform, digitalised examinations and initiatives such as the Generation Next programme and the Legacy Project, which involves the construction of modern lecture theatres in tertiary institutions nationwide.
Prof. Olarenwaju called for deeper collaboration between CIBN and the Abia State Government in areas such as infrastructure development, financial literacy, financial inclusion and completion of the Institute’s state office.
He announced CIBN’s involvement in a national programme to train 10 million women and youths on financial inclusion.
“I was in Aso Rock with the vice president of this country, and the institute was one of those institutes that was appointed to train ten million women and youth on financial inclusion.
“We are intentional about this and we will go ahead to do this”, he said.
Prof Olarenwaju also disclosed plans to address the “Japa syndrome” through targeted training and upskilling programmes aimed at retaining talent within the country.
He commended Governor Otti’s leadership and recalled that CIBN’s request for land to establish a state office in 2023 was approved within one year, describing it as evidence of governance driven by action.
The CIBN President further lauded the present administration’s achievements, citing reported improvements in economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation, healthcare delivery, education, security and infrastructure.
He described the Governor as a goodwill ambassador of the Institute and disclosed plans to organise an event to honour outstanding former bank chief executives, inviting Otti to attend.
