Governor Alex Otti Rewards Abia Genius Who Scored 367 in 2026 UTME With Full University Support

Academic hard work has paid off in a big way for one of Nigeria’s brightest young minds as the Abia State Government stepped in to sponsor the university education of an indigene who smashed the national tertiary entrance exams.

Governor Alex Otti hosted Master Michael Offorkaile at the Government House in Umuahia to celebrate his extraordinary achievement in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Offorkaile, who hails from Umunneochi Local Government Area, scored an eye-watering 367 out of 400, placing him among the joint fifth-highest performers in the entire country.

Accompanied by his parents and the leadership of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, the teenager was praised by state leadership for putting Abia State on the national map of academic excellence.

Speaking during the reception, Governor Otti made it clear that his administration is built on meritocracy and will always go the extra mile to celebrate citizens who distinguish themselves through exceptional performance. He noted that high scores should not just be applauded on paper, but actively nurtured into long-term professional success.

“We don’t take this kind of excellence for granted,” Governor Alex Otti stated warmly during the visit. “The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well and let others know that hard work is recognized. JAMB is just a little roadblock you have to cross before starting a four-year degree. Having come out on top here, we expect you to do even better as you enter the university, and as a state, we stand firmly behind you.”

To turn the state’s promise into immediate action, Governor Otti instructed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, to map out the full details of the educational sponsorship package. Additionally, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dodoh Okafor, was mandated to maintain seamless contact with the Offorkaile family throughout the transition process into higher education.

Visibly moved by the grand gesture, Michael Offorkaile thanked the governor for the unexpected recognition, describing Governor Otti as an inspirational figure. The young scholar promised to stay disciplined and continue making Abia State and Nigeria proud as he begins his undergraduate studies.