Governor Otti warned the new teachers to guard their jobs jealously because their names were still “written in pencil”.
The Abia State Government commenced a five-day capacity-building workshop for the 4,074 newly recruited teachers on Tuesday.
Mr Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, said the training signals the state government’s confidence in its ability to drive change.
He described the recruitment as a product of the “New Abia” spirit of transparency and merit.
“We recruited 4,074 of the 21,000, who succeeded without knowing anybody,” he said.
Mr Otti warned the new teachers to guard their jobs jealously because their names were still “written in pencil”.
“If you (newly recruited teachers) do well, the environment will notice and acknowledge you,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Chigozie Ekeoma, said the exercise was not a routine orientation but a milestone for the state’s education system.
She said that infrastructure alone cannot transform schools without quality teachers. “You are the operational foundation of this reform,” she said.
Mrs Ekeoma charged them to demonstrate professional dedication, punctuality and commitment to continuous improvement.
She assured them that the ministry would provide the tools, mentorship and enabling environment needed for their success.
The Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) Chairman, Lydia Onuoha, said the newly recruited teachers emerged from a rigorous process involving Computer-Based-Tests and interviews among 36,000 applicants.
She described the teaching profession as an elevated and divine calling that must be taken seriously. She advised the participants to “dress like teachers,” saying, “Teaching is a noble profession.”
Mrs Onuoha assured the teachers that ASUBEB was ready to take them to the next level in basic education and advised them to be attentive, take notes and maximise the five-day training.
In a goodwill message, the Director of Secondary Education Management Board, Christiana Eze, thanked Governor Otti for the opportunity provided to the teachers.
She promised the governor that his effort would not be in vain, saying they would groom the teachers under their care.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Friday Madu, welcomed the new teachers to the profession.
Mr Madu said that Mr Otti’s administration recruited over 5,000 teachers in 2025 and over 4,000 this year.
The NUT boss assured the teachers of the support of both the union and the Association of Principals and Head Teachers.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the five-day workshop would run until 12 September.
