NEWS
GOV. ALEX OTTI SPEAKS TO ABIANS: Gov. Otti Moves to Clear Decades-Long Ex- Councillors’ Entitlements, Commences Leave Allowance Payments and Advances Recruitment of 4,000 Teachers in Abia
By @TheKELVINATOR, The Eyes Opener News | February 27, 2026
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has intensified his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and educational reform, rolling out decisive measures aimed at restoring confidence in governance and strengthening public service delivery across the state.
Speaking on Friday night during the February edition of his monthly media interaction with journalists, tagged Governor Otti Speaks to Abians, the Governor reaffirmed that his government is not only prioritizing prompt salary payments but is also systematically addressing long-standing financial obligations inherited from previous administrations.
In a bold move to improve morale within the civil service, Governor Otti announced that the payment of leave allowances to workers has commenced. The development marks a significant shift from years of uncertainty, as many public servants had endured prolonged delays in receiving their statutory entitlements. By activating the leave allowance payments, the administration is reinforcing its policy of putting workers first and ensuring that the dignity of labour is respected.
Beyond current workforce obligations, the Governor disclosed that his administration is taking concrete steps to settle outstanding entitlements owed to former elected councillors who served between 1999 and 2022. The decision to address these arrears underscores a broader philosophy of financial responsibility and institutional fairness, as the government works to close lingering gaps that have burdened past office holders for over two decades.
Observers see the move as part of a larger reform-driven agenda designed to restore trust in public institutions, stabilize the state’s financial architecture, and demonstrate that governance can be both humane and accountable.
In the education sector, Governor Otti highlighted major progress in the ongoing recruitment of 4,000 teachers aimed at revitalizing public schools across Abia State.
According to the Governor, the recruitment exercise has attracted overwhelming interest, with 36,000 applications received from qualified candidates. Following a rigorous screening process, 24,000 applicants were shortlisted to participate in computer-based tests. The large number of applicants reflects both the pressing demand for employment opportunities and renewed public confidence in a recruitment process widely perceived as transparent and merit-driven. The use of computer-based testing further signals the administration’s determination to eliminate favoritism and ensure that only competent and qualified educators are engaged.
Education stakeholders have described the initiative as a transformative step toward addressing teacher shortages, improving classroom instruction, and raising academic standards in public schools. By investing in human capital development through large-scale teacher recruitment, the government is laying the groundwork for sustainable socio-economic growth.
Governor Otti’s dual focus on workers’ welfare and educational reform illustrates a governance model anchored on accountability, institutional strengthening, and long-term impact. As Abia State continues on its path of reform, these measures are being positioned as foundational pillars in the broader effort to build a more equitable and prosperous future
for all residents.