Abia Govt Unveils First-Ever Tertiary Institutions’ Sports Fiesta

The Abia State Government has announced the launch of the first-ever Tertiary Institutions Sports Fiesta, an initiative aimed at fostering unity, discipline, and youth engagement across public and private higher institutions in the state.

The announcement was made during a press conference led by Professor Uche Eme Uche, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education.

Describing the event as a festival-like celebration of sports and sportsmanship, Professor Uche said the programme was conceived to bring students together, especially because many institutions are far from RUGA sports activities and “do not feel its impact.”

“When we presented this event to Governor Alex Otti, he was very excited. He was glad that this industry is not dead. When we were in school, we had games, but now they’re not there,” she said. The commissioner added that the Sports Fiesta aims to reunite tertiary institutions “under one umbrella,” instil discipline, and direct students’ energy toward positive pursuits rather than crime.

She emphasised that the initiative aligns with the vision of the New Abia, which prioritises youth development and education, noting that new structures, including the Abia Pioneer Sports Team, will be unveiled to enforce discipline and support drug-free campuses.

The Commissioner revealed that the opening ceremony which is scheduled to take place on the 25th of November 2025 at the Umuahia Township Stadium, will see many sporting activities with additional events held concurrently at Ibeku High School. While prizes have been designated for participating institutions, details were not disclosed.

Also speaking, the Abia State Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his continued investment in youth and sports. He revealed that the Tertiary Institutions Sports Fiesta builds on the success of the Abia State Secondary Unity Games, noting that the state intends to develop athletes across 26 different sports, beyond the commonly known ones.

“Governor Otti approved ₦500,000 for each participating school to get their teams ready. Doctors, logistics, and the stadium are ready. We are still working on aquatic sports infrastructure, but we will get there,” he said. The games will be a four-day event, with Governor Otti expected to attend the inaugural edition.

In appreciation, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Barrister Chinyere Okezie-Nwoko, thanked the governor for enabling the project and appreciated the Central Planning Committee for their commitment.

Others present at the briefing included the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communication, Dodoh Okafor, the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, Lady Ugo Nwokocha, PhD., Mr Francis Nwaubani, the Acting Director-General of BCA and other notable figures.