Gov. Otti Receives Abia Born Top JAMB Scorer, Pledges Support for His Education

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has received Master Michael Offorkaile, the Abia born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), emerging as the fifth highest scorer nationwide.

The governor received the student, his parents and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday.

Congratulating the student on his academic achievement, Governor Otti said the state government would continue to recognise and celebrate Abia indigenes who distinguish themselves through excellence.

"We don't take this for granted. We really appreciate your visit. The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well. And as a government founded on meritocracy, we will not stop celebrating people who do well.

"We also want him to be a source of encouragement to those coming after him. And to know that when they do well, they will be celebrated," the governor said.

Governor Otti pledged to support Offorkaile's university education and directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to work out the details of the support.

He also directed the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, to liaise with the student's parents for further arrangements.

The governor urged the student to regard his UTME performance as the beginning of a greater academic journey and encouraged him to aim for higher achievements at the university.

"We also want this to be an encouragement to him because the journey has just started. JAMB is the little roadblock you have to go through to now start a degree programme of four years.

"So, having been celebrated because you came first, we expect that you even do better as you go to the University. And as a State, we will support you.

"But, I think what's most important is for you to know that your State is behind you, recognises the feat that you have performed and encourages you to even do better," he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, said the governor directed her to identify and invite the student to the state for recognition following his outstanding performance.

She commended both the student and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School for the achievement.

The Principal of the school, Mr. Ige Bello, and the student's father, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile of Umunneochi Local Government Area, said they were not surprised by the result, citing the student's consistent academic excellence.

They thanked Governor Otti for recognising the achievement and commended his administration's commitment to education and governance in the state.

Responding, Master Michael Offorkaile expressed appreciation to the governor for the honour accorded to him, his family and his school.

"I want to thank you for what you have done for me and my family, and also my school today. And I will also try my best to keep performing, keep inspiring, keep encouraging students from Abia and Nigeria," he said.

The school's principal later presented the institution's yearbook to the governor.

Members of the Abia State Executive Council were present during the visit.