No fewer than 28,213 applicants have applied for the 4,000 teaching positions recently advertised by the Abia State Government.
Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday in Umuahia, the state capital, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to the commissioner, the ongoing recruitment exercise represents the second batch of the state’s teachers’ employment programme, explaining that the process officially commenced with the opening of the application portal on November 6, 2025, and closed on Friday, November 29, 2025.
He added that following the closure of the portal, applicants were granted a review window to verify and correct their application details.
“The window for verification of submissions closes this week. The applicants will be sent thereafter to sit for computer-based tests. Those who pass the tests will now go for the interview,” Kanu said.
He recalled that the state government intends to employ an additional 4,000 teachers from the current exercise, adding to the 5,394 teachers earlier employed sometime in the last year.
“It is worthy to recall that the state government plans to employ an additional 4,000 teachers from this exercise, to add to the 5,394 teachers earlier employed sometime in the last year,” he stated.
Kanu also announced that, in line with the state government’s sustained efforts to protect lives and property, steps have been taken to inaugurate the Abia State Safe Schools Steering Committee.
He explained that the initiative is a response to emerging security concerns across the country and the growing need to safeguard educational institutions.
“During the inauguration, it was highlighted that the committee will serve as a multi-sectoral strategic platform to coordinate state-level implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, to develop and monitor safeguard and protection protocols for schools across the state,” he said.
He further noted that stakeholders across relevant sectors were urged to support the initiative.
“Stakeholders from the education, security, humanitarian and civil sectors are encouraged to mobilise financial and technical resources for safer learning spaces across the state,” Kanu added.
On the state government’s digital transformation drive, the commissioner said the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has recorded several milestones.
“In line with the state government’s efforts to have its operations digitalised, the Office of the Chief Information Officer has recorded some major digital milestones. First is the establishment of a Document Installation Bureau, which the Office of the CIO jointly established with the Ministry of Lands, and this is for land records and processing,” he explained.
“This is one of the first around the state. The second milestone is the establishment of a centralised online recruitment platform. This will enable access and equity in government employment.
“The third digital milestone is the redesigned Area State Government website, which now serves as a primary source of all key government information about the state.
“The fourth and final milestone is the implementation of the e-Health Project with six pilot institutions automating their records and hospital management,” Kanu said.
He also revealed that the government has procured and distributed laptops to all senior government officials as part of efforts to digitalise public service operations.
“This is the first of its kind in the state, and the state government is one that encourages its workers to be the best they can be,” the commissioner added.
Kanu further disclosed that monitoring of school resumption would be carried out by education officers overseeing basic and secondary education to ensure compliance across all state-owned schools.
He also said work is progressing steadily on the state’s mass school projects, noting that significant milestones have been achieved in infrastructure development, equipment provision, and teacher training for the state’s smart schools.
“Two of the smart schools may be off for commissioning sometime in February,” he stated.
On transportation, the commissioner announced that the state’s urban mass transit operation officially commenced on December 24, 2025, and is currently in its pilot phase.
He explained that the programme began with three inter- and intra-city bus services.
“During the two-week pilot period, operations were conducted across key mobility corridors within the state. Currently on offer are three intra-city routes in Umuahia.
“Three intra-city routes in Aba. Other routes on offer are inter-city corridors from Aba to Umuahia and from Umuahia to Ohafia, respectively. Bus deployments during this period range from four buses on low-demand days to 17 buses on peak operational days,” Kanu said.
According to him, the pilot scheme has recorded an impressive response from commuters.
“The pilot phase, of course, has recorded a very strong commuter response, indicating trust in government-led transport initiatives. Within this pilot phase, over 31,500 passengers have enjoyed these free bus rides and counted. In the days ahead, full commercial operations will commence,” he said.
He added that supporting infrastructure for the mass transit service is nearing completion, including the Umuahia bus terminal, junction improvement works, and the installation of charging stations.
