“Gov. Otti Is a Governor That is Leading Abia State Today For the Future, Using the Future at the Present Time“ — President Tinubu’s Education Minister, Tunji Alausa Commissions Abia’s Landmark Smart School, Hails Otti’s Vision for Global Learning

…says Gov. Otti is A Governor That Wants Abia Kids to Lead Nigeria and Lead the World

Abia State has taken another major leap in its drive to redefine public education as the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, officially commissioned the Ogbo Central Smart School in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, describing the facility as a transformational investment that will shape the future of the state’s children and position Abia as Nigeria’s leading hub for technology-driven education.

The commissioning ceremony marked the formal unveiling of one of the flagship projects under Governor Alex Otti’s ambitious Smart School programme, a statewide initiative designed to revolutionise teaching and learning through cutting-edge technology, innovation and world-class educational infrastructure.

The Smart School initiative, which spans all the 17 local government areas of Abia State, represents one of the most comprehensive investments in digital education by any state government in Nigeria. The schools feature digitally enabled classrooms fitted with interactive learning technologies, artificial intelligence-supported instructional tools, tablets for pupils, specially trained teachers, predictive security systems, sick bays and environmentally friendly learning spaces designed to equip children with the knowledge and skills required in an increasingly digital global economy.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, Dr. Alausa praised Governor Otti’s bold decision to establish Smart Schools across every part of Abia State, describing the project as a clear demonstration of visionary leadership that places the future of children above immediate political gains.

The Minister observed that the Otti administration is pursuing a development agenda anchored on human capital, noting that the governor understands that sustainable economic prosperity can only be achieved by investing heavily in education and the intellectual capacity of young people.

“Governor Alex Chioma Otti, is a governor that is leading Abia State today for the future, using the future at the present time.

“A governor that knows the importance of building an economy not based on minerals, not based on fuel, but based on the innate gift of every child in Abia State, building human capital.

“Not just building human capital for the present, but for the future and giving every child in Abia State today the opportunity to compete locally, nationally, and globally.

“Great development is about building minds, building brains, and building human capital, and that’s what we’re witnessing in Abia State today.

“When you have a governor that is committed, that thought to build a smart school, not just one, not two, but in every single nook and cranny of Abia State, that’s a governor that cares for the people.

“That’s a governor that wants your kids to lead Nigeria and lead the world,” he said.

Dr. Alausa further highlighted the immense opportunities the Smart School programme would create for Abia children, stressing that pupils would enjoy access to world-class digital learning resources comparable to what is obtainable in advanced countries, while gaining early exposure to Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging digital technologies and other modern learning tools that will prepare them for future careers.

He expressed confidence that within the next five to ten years, the impact of the initiative would become evident, predicting that Abia would emerge as a national leader in educational excellence with its children competing favourably on the global stage.

Delivering his address titled “Tomorrow is the Reward,” Governor Alex Otti described education as the strongest foundation for building a prosperous society, explaining that his administration deliberately chose to invest in human capital because the world’s wealth is increasingly driven by knowledge, innovation and technology rather than natural resources.

The Governor noted that governments seeking sustainable development must prioritise quality education capable of producing innovators, creators and solution providers instead of graduates who merely search for employment.

Governor Otti disclosed that the Ogbor Central Smart School is the first of three flagship Smart Schools to be commissioned across the state’s three senatorial districts. He added that another 17 Smart Schools, strategically located across each of the state’s local government areas, would equally be commissioned, ensuring that every part of Abia benefits from the initiative.

According to the Governor, each Smart School has the capacity to accommodate about 300 pupils, with every learner receiving a personal tablet to support classroom instruction. The facilities have also been equipped with interactive digital learning technologies, predictive security systems, sick bays and highly trained teachers to guarantee an excellent learning environment.

He stressed that the vision is to nurture innovators, entrepreneurs, inventors and future global leaders capable of competing successfully anywhere in the world, while ensuring that every Abia child enjoys equal educational opportunities regardless of social or economic background.

Governor Otti also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education through consistent allocation of 20 per cent of the state’s annual budget to the sector, alongside the recruitment and retraining of thousands of teachers, construction of modern school infrastructure and the implementation of free and compulsory basic education across the state.

The Governor maintained that quality education must be protected by integrity and accountability, declaring that his administration would not tolerate any form of exploitation within the school system.

“No form of extortion, whether of pupils or their parents, shall be allowed in any of our schools, especially the smart schools. Anyone who runs foul of our zero-extortion and zero-corruption policy will face tough disciplinary actions,” he said.

He equally warned against vandalism of public school facilities and appealed to parents, traditional rulers and community leaders to work together with government in safeguarding the schools while instilling discipline, good morals and responsible values in children.

Governor Otti expressed optimism that the visit of the Minister of Education would further strengthen collaboration between the Federal Government and Abia State in areas such as teacher capacity development, educational infrastructure expansion and other reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, described the commissioning of the Smart School as another milestone in Governor Otti’s determination to reposition education as the foundation for sustainable development in Abia State.

He explained that the initiative was designed to ensure that every child, irrespective of location or social status, has access to globally competitive education capable of preparing them for a future powered by innovation, technology and knowledge.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs. Lydia Onuoha, disclosed that the Smart School initiative grew from a pilot project developed free of charge by Blue Giraffe Development Ltd in Ohafia in 2024, which later became the model adopted by the state government for the statewide Smart School programme.

She revealed that the Ogbor Central Smart School boasts 13 fully digitised classrooms, a state-of-the-art ICT centre, a modern library, an Early Childhood Care Development Centre, Artificial Intelligence-enabled learning systems, virtual and augmented reality facilities, renewable energy infrastructure and a dedicated girls’ room.

Mrs. Onuoha further announced that about 375 pupils have already been enrolled in the school, adding that the facility will also leverage the Federal Government’s newly introduced digital learning resources to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

On behalf of the host community, the President-General of the Ubakala Clan Development Union, Elder Godwin Mbonu, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Otti for locating the landmark project in the area, describing the Smart School as a priceless legacy that will continue to provide knowledge, hope, dignity and life-changing opportunities for generations of children yet unborn.

The commissioning of the Ogbo Central Smart School is widely seen as another significant milestone in Governor Otti’s broader education transformation agenda, reinforcing Abia State’s ambition to become Nigeria’s model for digital learning, i nnovation and human capital development in the 21st century.