Abia Government Plans to Revolutionise Education, through AbiaFIRST Initiative

Abia State Government has embarked on an unprecedented journey to revolutionise its education sector, through Fostering Innovation and Reform for School Transformation (AbiaFIRST) programme.

AbiaFIRST, comprehensive education transformation initiative aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision to intentionally prepare Abia citizens to be skilled participants in the global village.

AbiaFIRST is being implemented, through a strategic partnership between the Abia State Government and the Education Reform and Innovation Team (ERIT), a consortium of accomplished education experts, innovators, and transformation agents.

The programme represents a holistic approach to education transformation, encompassing early childhood development basic education enhancement, secondary school reform and technical and vocational training, digital learning integration, career education and community engagement.

AbiaFIRST will also focus on institutional reform and school transformation, introducing innovative solutions, such as digital learning platforms, comprehensive curriculum framework, teacher professional development, enhanced TVET programmes, robust monitoring and evaluation systems.

News Agencies gathered that about 200 lead master trainers and 2,000 master teachers, have been trained to drive the cascade training model to reach over 9,000 teachers across the State.

Governor Alex Otti, in an address at the launch of the programme, Wednesday, February 26, 2025, described AbiaFIRST, as a central plan for a transformational governance initiative for the rapid socioeconomic development of the State.

He said that the programme is focused on strategic initiatives, aimed at transforming the education sector in the State, through sustained investments in education.

According to the Governor, AbiaFIRST transformation education programme is focused on strategic initiatives, aimed at transforming the education sector in the State, through sustained investments in development of school infrastructure, training and retraining of teachers on new trends, recruitment of quality teachers to cater for the rise in enrollment figures.

He vowed to lead the charge in qualitative education delivery, assuring that the government, will no longer be playing second fiddle with the education sector.

“Abia State Government has re-taken the initiative to lead the charge in qualitative education of our young people through our multi-level learning institutions.

“Never again will the government play second fiddle with the education sector, as we shall lead from the front in terms of investments in infrastructure, recruitment of the best to teach and educate our children and personnel renumeration”, Governor Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who appreciated the efforts of the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in achieving his vision in education, said that education is at the centre of his development agenda. He emphasised that the State development framework is founded on the transformative power of education and assured that he would spare nothing at promoting education.

“Abia Government shall spare nothing to prepare the Abia child for the emerging new age.

“Investing in education as we have learnt from the development strides of other nations is no longer optional, but a consistently general outlay has become a prerequisite for the achievement of the aspirations of any society,” Gov. Otti stated.

Goodluck Ubochi, commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, said that AbiaFIRST is not just about improving individual schools, but a complete institutional reform that would transform education in Abia State.

He disclosed that the key to the transformation in education is the innovative solutions the government is introducing, which include digital learning platforms, wholesome curriculum framework, teacher professional development, technical and vocational education, monitoring and evaluation system and science technical engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) and called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the government in that regard.

In his words, “This launch event showcases our achievements to date and outlines the roadmap for transforming education in Abia State, creating an inclusive, equitable, and future-ready learning environment that will empower our students to become skilled, confident, and globally minded individuals.

“Together with our partners, stakeholders, and the entire Abia community, we are building an education system that will drive sustainable growth in our local communities and beyond”, Ubochi stated.

Abolaji Osimen, team lead, Education Reform and Innovation Team (ERIT), noted that the ERIT team, which consists of 180 professionals specializing in areas such as educational technology and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) has been engaging with the present administration since 2023.

She said that their goal is to foster digital proficiency among young learners and to collaboratively address the challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector and appreciated Governor Otti for his commitment in educational development.

“That’s why we are grateful to our Governor for doing what he is doing”, she said.

Based on recent statistics, Osime noted that out of the 40 million students in schools in Nigeria that 80% of them are in public schools.

“We are here to partner with Abia, we must have to act. So, our transformation strategy, which we will be showing you is on 5 key pillars: learning outcomes, future- ready workforce, learning environment transformation, teacher excellent and strategic investments.

“We must either address our learning crises now or risk creating the future with an under skilled population. Our choice today will determine whether Nigeria emerges as a dynamic economy with a highly skilled workforce or face the challenge of widespread unemployment, increased crime, and economic stagnation”, Osime stressed.

Adeyemi Oladeji, UNESCO representative, Tunde Adekola, World Bank Senior Education Specialist and Daniel Fwanshishak, a representative of the British Council Office in Abuja, in different Goodwill messages, congratulated Abia State Governor on his efforts to revitalize the State’s education sector.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting and partnering with the State Government, through capacity-building initiatives to enhance educational development.

Uche Chukwu Kalu, permanent secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said that all stakeholders in the educational sector in Abia State are involved in the project, which aims at institutional reforms and restructuring of administrative processes.

“No stakeholder is left behind. This is an integration of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Abia State Secondary Management Board (ASEMB) and the Ministry of Education.

She affirmed that the Ministry is working closely with ERIT, to make sure that the programme succeeds.

“We are also enhancing and connecting departments. We have established clear reporting structures, and our ministry stands to provide the administrative backbone necessary for the successful implementation of AbiaFIRST programme.

“We have mobilised our personnel across all lengths, updated our operational proceedings, strengthened our supervision mechanism and enhanced our management system. Our supervisors will always be on ground to know what our teachers and our pupils are doing in our schools.

Kalu, assured that AbiaFIRST programme will ensure an education system that serves Abia children and help prepare them for global competitiveness.

According to her, no child should be left behind in the transformation reforms that are going on in the State’s school system.