Abia State Shortlists 24,023 Candidates for Teacher Recruitment, Plans to Employ 4,000

Umuahia, Abia State – The Abia State Government has announced that 24,023 applicants have been shortlisted for a Computer-Based Test (CBT) as part of the second batch of its ongoing teacher recruitment exercise. The initiative aims to employ 4,000 new teachers across the state.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, during a briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, following the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

According to a statement released by the Head of Information at Government House, Divine Nwankwo, about 36,415 applications were received for the recruitment exercise. The date for the CBT will be communicated in due course.

Commissioner Kanu highlighted that last year, the state government employed 5,394 teachers and is now deploying the Education Management and Information System (EMIS) to integrate education data across primary and secondary schools. EMIS will enhance school management, data-driven planning, and measurable outcomes.

“The target for the second batch of recruitment is 4,000 teachers. The system will support efficient management of schools, data-driven development, planning, and measurable outcomes in schools,” Kanu said.

The briefing also highlighted the resumption of the mass literacy and non-formal education programme for adults for the 2025–2026 academic session in all 17 Local Government Areas. A sensitisation campaign is ongoing to increase enrolment, targeting school dropouts, traders, artisans, and other adults.

On sports, the Abia state contingent to the recently concluded National Basic Education Schools Sports Games emerged the best in athletics and overall performance, winning eight gold medals and other accolades. Kanu noted that this achievement reflects the success of the state’s youth development programmes, particularly in school sports. Governor Otti has promised to host the winning team at a later date.

The government’s education reforms were also praised, with Abia State emerging as the best-performing state in NECO examinations over the past three years. “This record signifies the massive impact of the transformation and reform agenda of His Excellency in the education sector,” the statement added.

On infrastructure, the Ministry of Works continues to execute direct labour projects across 48 locations in the state. Completed projects include the maintenance of 14.8 km of Alayi–Ugwueke Road in Bende LGA, 1.1 km of Awomukwu–Umusokoro Road and 900 metres of Umusokoro Road in Ikwuano LGA, and 9.1 km of Umunkpeyi–Umuru–Okokiri Road in Isialangwa South LGA. Three additional projects have been added to the ministry’s maintenance schedule.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, said EMIS will track pupils’ progress, including movements between private and public schools.

The press briefing, which assured that the CBT date will be announced soon, was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.