Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, said his administration’s Smart Schools initiative is laying the foundation for a future-ready workforce by equipping children with the digital skills and knowledge required to compete in the global economy.
Governor Otti who stated this on Wednesday, at the commissioning of the Umuomaiukwu Smart School in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, reaffirmed his administration’s determination to reposition education as the foundation of long-term economic growth
The governor said the facility which is the second of 20 Smart Schools under construction across the state’s 17 local government areas, reflects a deliberate investment in human capital rather than physical infrastructure alone.
He said the initiative was intended to transform the learning experience by replacing traditional rote learning with technology-driven, experiential education capable of nurturing innovation, creativity and critical thinking among young learners.
According to the Governor, the Smart School model is a key component of his administration’s long-term vision of preparing young people for a knowledge-based economy.
“The Abia Smart Schools idea is unique for a number of reasons. First, it is structured to drive the transition from rote learning to experiential learning for the pupils.
“Second, the entire ecosystem, from the classrooms to the general environment, quality of teachers and facilities, is set up to inspire the pupils to dream and aspire to do great things over the course of their lives.
“The remainder of the year will be quite busy as we open the new schools to expand the front lines of learning for about 6,000 pupils residing in different urban and rural communities across the state”, the governor said.
Otti described the education sector as Abia’s foremost industry because of its capacity to unlock human potential and drive sustainable development, stressing that his administration has continued to prioritise strategic investments in education and other critical sectors of the economy.
He urged the pupils to maximise the opportunities provided by the government through free education and world-class learning facilities.
“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 or levies because everything has been provided by the government free of charge. You will therefore learn at no direct cost to you or your parents”, he said.
Governor Otti who assured outstanding pupils of access to scholarships and other incentives said that “those who show great promise on account of their output shall be exposed to bigger opportunities through local and international scholarship opportunities and other incentives to inspire even greater excellence”.
The governor also warned against vandalism of public infrastructure, disclosing that the school had been equipped with modern security systems, including round-the-clock internet connectivity and closed-circuit television surveillance.
“Whoever attempts to steal or vandalise anything within the premises shall not only be caught, they will be treated as dangerous saboteurs and dealt with according to the full dictates of our laws”, he said.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Okey Ndibe, commended Otti’s investment in education, describing the Smart School initiative as a foundation for sustainable development in a knowledge-driven economy.
“Wherever I’ve been, I encounter Nigerians from different parts of the country who speak glowingly about the pace-setting governorship that Governor Otti has introduced in this state”, Ndibe said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Goodluck Ubochi, said the Abia Government remains committed to transforming the education sector through sustained investment in Smart Schools and technology-driven learning to equip children with skills for the future.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Caleb Ajagba, described the project as another demonstration of the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and delivering impactful development across the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Lydia Onuoha, said the Smart School initiative was designed to produce globally competitive pupils through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-based education.
She disclosed that the Umuomaiukwu Smart School, the second established by the state government, is equipped with AI-enabled learning facilities, STEM laboratories, an ICT centre, interactive classrooms, CCTV surveillance and other modern learning infrastructure, adding that plans were underway to establish 200 Smart Classrooms across the state’s 17 local government areas.
The Managing Director of Blue Giraffe Development Limited, Mrs Orieji Okwara-Emele, described the school as a gateway to opportunities that would equip children with digital knowledge and globally competitive skills.
The member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Collins Iheonunekwu, commended Governor Alex Otti for delivering the project and urged the host community to protect the facility from vandalism.
