Abia Free Education Policy; Otti Says There’s Upsurge in School Registration

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced a significant upswing in school enrollment since introducing free education at primary and secondary levels in January 2025. This development has foiled the state’s initial plan to arrest out-of-school children and their parents unnecessarily.

Last year, the state government made free education compulsory for primary and junior secondary school students, warning that children found hawking during school hours would be arrested and their parents would be held accountable.

However, Governor Otti revealed that the policy has been a resounding success, with schools experiencing an increase in registration. “We thought we’d have to enforce it, but instead, we’ve found that schools are filled to capacity, and people are eager to learn,” he said.

The governor’s comments came during a meeting with officials from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Nnaemeka Okafor, Director of Regional Advocacy, praised Governor Otti’s education policies and initiatives in other sectors.

Governor Otti’s administration has implemented various initiatives to improve education in Abia State, including training programs for teachers and special allowances for those posted to rural areas.