Abia to employ 4,000 additional teachers, inaugurates Safe Schools Committee

The Abia State Government has announced plans to employ an additional 4,000 teachers, complementing the 5,394 teachers already recruited last year, as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning in the state’s school system.

According to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the second batch of teacher recruitment attracted 28,213 applicants. Shortlisted candidates will sit for a computer-based test (CBT) before proceeding to the final interview stage. The recruitment portal was opened on 6 November 2025 and closed on 29 November 2025, with a verification window for applicants to review and correct their submission details, which closes this week.

Prince Kanu also announced the inauguration of the Abia State Safe Schools Steering Committee, tasked with safeguarding lives and property in the state’s educational institutions. He said the multi-sectoral committee would coordinate state-level implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, develop and monitor safety protocols, engage education, security, humanitarian and civil society stakeholders, and mobilise resources for safer learning environments.

On the state’s smart schools project, the commissioner said two schools are expected to be commissioned in February 2026, with significant progress recorded in infrastructure, equipment, and teacher training.

He further confirmed that academic activities resumed on Monday, 12 January 2026, for both private and public schools in the second term of the 2025–2026 academic year, and that education officers are monitoring compliance across the state.

Highlighting other public service achievements, Prince Kanu noted the establishment of a Document Digitisation Bureau for land records, a centralised Online Recruitment Platform, the redesign of the Abia State Government website, and the rollout of an e-Health project in six pilot hospitals. He also disclosed that laptops have been distributed to senior government officials to support full digitisation of state operations.

On the newly introduced electric bus transport system, Prince Kanu said the pilot phase has recorded strong commuter response, with over 31,500 passengers benefiting from free rides across Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia. He added that supporting infrastructure, including bus terminals, junction improvements, and charging stations, is being gradually installed ahead of full commercial operations.

Responding to concerns about passenger behaviour during the free-ride pilot, Commissioner for Transport Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu said: “This is the pilot stage, which is a learning period. We have deployed the Harmonised Task Force and Homeland Security at bus shelters to ensure passengers feel safe. Being a new service and free of charge, high demand is expected, and measures will be taken to manage it.”