Abia Commissioner Harps on Youth Engagement as State Marks 2026 International Day of Education

The Abia State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, has underscored the importance of meaningful youth engagement as a critical tool for achieving sustainable educational progress that aligns with contemporary realities.

Prof. Uche made the assertion while delivering her address at the 2026 International Day of Education celebration in the state.

She highlighted ongoing reforms in Abia State’s tertiary education sector, including improved funding, renovation of educational facilities, recruitment of academic and non-academic staff, and the strengthening of academic standards. According to her, these reforms are aimed at building a more responsive and future-ready education system.

The commissioner called for increased youth participation in the development of an inclusive education framework that reflects innovation, relevance, and sustainability.

The event, held under the theme “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education,” attracted government officials, education stakeholders, students, and development partners, who gathered to reaffirm the pivotal role of young people in shaping educational development.

Also speaking at the event, the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Dr. Christopher Okoro, emphasized that genuine youth co-creation remains indispensable to building a sustainable and forward-looking education system. He described young people as key partners in development whose ideas, creativity, and energy must be harnessed to drive meaningful and lasting reforms in the sector.

In her keynote address, Prof. Regina Ogbonna described the International Day of Education as a global observance dedicated to promoting education as a fundamental human right and a vital public good for peace and sustainable development. She advocated for youth inclusion beyond consultative processes, calling for authentic partnerships that allow young people to actively participate in designing and implementing education solutions.