Otti Approves Automatic Employment for 19 Best TechRise Graduands  

_Governor unveils special salary structure for ICT professionals in civil service_

UMUAHIA, Abia State – Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved automatic employment into the State Civil Service for the 19 best-graduating students of TechRise Cohort 3, the state’s ICT skills development programme.

The Governor made the announcement on Thursday, August 21, 2026, during the graduation ceremony of 850 youths under Cohort 3 of the Abia TechRise programme held at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia.

Governor Otti also announced a cash donation of N100,000 each for all 850 graduands. He further directed that the laptops used by the graduands during the training be transferred to them as personal property.

To ensure the deployment of their skills, the Governor directed the Head of Service and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to work with the Chief Information Officer to identify existing ICT gaps in the state, with a view to filling them with TechRise graduands.

“A central part of our value multiplication outlook is to retain the best hands from each cohort of the programme and have them contribute directly in improving social service delivery through the institutions of government,” Gov. Otti stated.

He also directed that a special salary structure be put in place for ICT professionals in the civil service, subject to applicable conditions.

To the graduands, the Governor urged them to remain committed to continuous learning and to convert their newly acquired skills into viable businesses and innovations. He warned them against using their knowledge for criminal activities.

Otti further disclosed plans to establish international-standard ICT examination and certification centres in Abia, to enable residents obtain professional certifications without traveling outside the state.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said the administration, in partnership with the 17 LGAs, has through the100 percent cost-free, 3-month TechRise programme transformed a total of 2,210 youths into “architects of the digital future.”

“Over the past one year and half, this programme has produced 2,210 youths in 3 study cohorts, both Abians and other Nigerians from other areas of the country living in Abia without discrimination,” Prince Nwachukwu stated.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, thanked the Governor for his investment in youth development, noting that beneficiaries have been equipped with practical ICT skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

The CEO of LearnFactory and TechRise Coordinator, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, disclosed that TechRise has also trained 2,500 civil servants in computer skills and is targeting 5,000.

He said they have authored books on Coding and will donate 500 coding books to smart schools. He also proposed the introduction of Coding in primary and secondary schools, and an “Abia One Stop Platform” as a way of giving back to government.

Responding on behalf of the graduands, Onuoha Victor Chinedu thanked the Governor, saying the programme has empowered them to face the future with courage.