The Abia Patriots, a foremost socio-political think-tank of Abia indigenes at home and abroad, has congratulated the Abia State Government for what it described as “unprecedented milestone achievements” that have made the state the yardstick for educational excellence in Nigeria and beyond.
In a strongly worded congratulatory statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the Secretary General of the group, Mazi Adindu Madumere, said the feats recorded in the education sector under Governor Alex Otti are no longer rhetoric but verifiable reality.
Mazi Madumere stated that when the administration declared free and compulsory basic education, many dismissed it as political talk.
According to him, *”Today, the results speak louder than politics. According to official data from the Ministry of Education, Abia State has recorded over 100% increase in school enrolment in the 2025/2026 academic session, driven by the restoration of public confidence in our public schools.”*
He attributed the surge to deliberate reforms. Quoting Madumere, *”This is not an accident. It is the product of deliberate reform. The administration has recruited 5,394 teachers in 2025, with another 4,075 recruited in August 2026, ensured regular payment of salaries, extended retirement age for teachers, rehabilitated schools, and introduced smart schools.”*
The Patriots scribe noted that the government’s massive infrastructure drive – including the completion of 414 road projects covering 864.12 kilometres – has made schools more accessible and translated directly into academic outcomes.
Listing national yardsticks, Mazi Madumere said Abia is now number one in the country.
*”First, Abia is Number One in Nigeria. In the recently released 2026 NECO ranking, Abia State emerged as the overall best-performing state in the federation with an impressive 81.78% pass rate at credit level, recording 9,666 candidates with five credits including English and Mathematics. This is the second consecutive year Abia is leading the nation, ahead of 35 other states,”* he stated.
He further pointed to individual excellence, saying: *”Second, Abia is producing national academic giants. In July this year, Master Michael Offorkaile, an Abia indigene, scored 367 in the 2026 JAMB/UTME, emerging as joint 5th highest scorer in the entire country.”*
Madumere commended Governor Otti for personally honouring the young scholar, saying, *”That the Governor personally received and honoured him, directing the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to support his academic journey, shows a government that celebrates merit – a core principle of The Abia Patriots.”*
However, the Secretary General said the climax of Abia’s educational renaissance is the global conquest in Qatar.
Under the headline, ABIA STUDENTS WIN QATAR DEBATE CONTEST, Madumere announced that five public school students representing Nigeria defeated world powers to emerge world champions.
*”Representing Nigeria, five brilliant children from Abia State public schools – Christian Chinweotitom Esther, Chikodi Maureen, Akamnonu Franklin, Ifeanyichukwu Prisca and Simon Divine – defeated teams from the Philippines, Jordan, India and Qatar on their way to the finals of the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship,”* he said.
According to him, the tournament which was coordinated by the Vocara Institute and hosted by the QatarDebate Centre at Georgetown University, Doha, drew over 84 groups from eight countries.
*”Our children did not just participate; they conquered. They returned with four major trophies and 12 laurels, including the top prize – the Best International School Debate Team award, plus Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Leadership Award and Best Debater Award,”* Madumere declared.
He praised the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Amb. Lydia Onuoha, for leading the delegation, noting that *”these children have proven that when you invest in public schools, public schools can produce world champions.”*
Concluding, Mazi Madumere said the new narrative is clear.
*”This is the New Abia we prayed for. A state where public school children who yesterday were mocked, today make Nigeria proud in Qatar. A state where free education is not free mediocrity, but free excellence. To Governor Alex Otti, to Prof. Uche Eme Uche, to ASUBEB, to our teachers, and to these five ambassadors, The Abia Patriots says: Thank you for making Abia first again. Ezi aha ka ego. Abia is back,”* he said.
