Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has announced that the state government will provide educational support for Master Michael Offorkaile, the Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), ranking fifth highest nationally.
Governor Otti made the pledge on Monday when he received the high-performing student, his parents, and management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, at the Government House in Umuahia.
Congratulating the teenager on his exceptional performance, Otti said the state does not take academic excellence for granted and will celebrate its high achievers.
“We don’t take this for granted. The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well,” the governor stated.
“As a government founded on meritocracy, we will not stop celebrating people who do well.”
Otti directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, to work out the details of the support package for Offorkaile.
He also asked his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, to liaise with the student’s parents for necessary follow-up.
The governor encouraged the young scholar to aim even higher in his university education.
“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,” he said.
He added: “As a state, we will support you. I believe that the details of the support will be worked out with the Commissioner for Tertiary Education. But I think what is most important is for you to know that your state is behind you.”
Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, who introduced the student, revealed that the governor personally directed her to locate Offorkaile and bring him to the state for proper recognition.
The Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Mr. Ige Bello, and Offorkaile’s father, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile, from Umunneochi Local Government Area, expressed that they were not surprised by the outstanding result, citing the student’s consistent academic brilliance.
They thanked Governor Otti for the honour and commended his commitment to education and good governance in Abia State.
In his response, Michael Offorkaile thanked the governor for the recognition and described him as a role model.
“I want to thank you for what you have done for me and my family, and also my school today. I will also try my best to keep performing, keep inspiring, and keep encouraging students from Abia and Nigeria,” the top scorer said.
