TechRise: Otti Retains 19 Best Talents, Gifts 850 Graduands ₦100,000, Laptops

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved automatic employment into the State Civil Service for the 19 best-performing graduates of the third cohort of the Abia TechRise Information and Communication Technology, ICT, skills development programme.

Governor Otti announced the employment on Thursday, August 21, 2026, during the graduation ceremony of 850 youths who completed the third cohort of the programme at the JAAC Secretariat in Umuahia.

The Governor also approved a cash gift of ₦100,000 for each of the 850 graduands, while directing that the laptops used by the beneficiaries during the training be handed over to them as their personal property.
Explaining the decision to employ the 19 best graduands, Governor Otti said the move was part of his administration’s strategy to retain outstanding talents produced through the programme and deploy their expertise toward improving public service delivery.

He said: “A central part of our value multiplication outlook is to retain the best hands from each cohort of the programme and have them contribute directly in improving social service delivery through the institutions of government.”

The Governor further directed the Head of Service, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Chief Information Officer of the State to identify existing ICT gaps across government and determine how the TechRise graduates could be deployed to fill them.

He also directed the development of a special salary structure for ICT professionals in the State Civil Service, subject to applicable conditions.

Addressing the graduands, Governor Otti urged them to embrace continuous learning, stressing that the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme represented its most valuable benefit.

He challenged the beneficiaries to transform their skills into viable businesses, innovations and employment opportunities, while warning them against using their technological knowledge for criminal activities.

The Governor also commended a group of graduands that developed a functional drone and directed the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to work with the team to explore ways of taking the innovation from the prototype stage to commercial viability.

Governor Otti disclosed that his administration was planning to establish international-standard ICT examination and certification centres in Abia.

According to him, the centres would enable residents to obtain professional certifications needed for career advancement without travelling outside the state.

He also said the state government was working with MTN to improve internet penetration across Abia.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said the Otti administration, in partnership with the 17 Local Government Areas, had trained 2,210 youths from Abia and other parts of Nigeria through the three cohorts of the 100 per cent cost-free, three-month technological skills acquisition programme.

Nwachukwu said the beneficiaries had been equipped to become active participants in the digital economy.

He told the graduands that the three-month training had exposed them to complex programming languages, problem-solving techniques and the practical application of technology.

Also speaking on behalf of the 17 Local Government mayors, the Mayor of Umuahia South LGA, Hon. Engr. Chinedu Enwereuzo, described Governor Otti’s policies and programmes as intentional and urged the graduands to maximise the opportunities created through the training.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, commended the Governor for his commitment to human capital development and investment in the future of young people.

She noted that the programme had equipped beneficiaries with practical ICT skills capable of opening doors to employment, entrepreneurship and global opportunities.

The Chief Executive Officer of LearnFactory and TechRise Coordinator, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, disclosed that the programme had also trained 2,500 civil servants in computer skills, with plans to increase the figure to 5,000.

Ukaegbu said the organisation had authored coding books and would donate 500 copies to smart schools across the state.
He also proposed the introduction of coding education in primary and secondary schools, as well as an “Abia One Stop Platform” designed to support the state government.

Responding on behalf of the graduands, Mr. Onuoha Victor Chinedu thanked Governor Otti for the opportunity, saying the programme had equipped them with the confidence and skills to face the future.
He expressed hope that more young people would benefit from subsequent editions of the programme.

The graduation ceremony was attended by several senior government officials, including the Mayors of Umuahia North, Hon. Smart Ihuoma; Aba North, Hon. Timothy Iheke; Osisioma, Hon. Chidi Agu; and Bende, Hon. Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey.

Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State
August 21, 2026

The Governor was joined by mayors of Umuahia North, Hon. Smart Ihuoma, Aba North, Hon. Timothy Iheke, Osisioma , Hon. Chidi Agu, Bende, Hon. Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey among other senior officials of the government.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
August 21, 2026.