By Taiwo Scholarstica
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pledged to support the education of Master Michael Offorkaile, an Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to emerge as the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.
The governor made the commitment on Monday while receiving the student, his parents and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, at the Government House.
Congratulating the teenager on his outstanding performance, Otti described the achievement as a source of pride for Abia State, stressing that the government would continue to recognise and reward excellence.
He directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to work out the details of the support package, while instructing the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, to liaise with the student’s parents for the necessary follow-up.
The governor said his administration, which is built on merit, would continue to celebrate individuals who distinguish themselves in academics and other fields.
He said, “We don’t take this for granted. The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well. As a government founded on meritocracy, we will not stop celebrating people who do well. We also want you to be a source of encouragement to those coming after you and to know that when they do well, they will be celebrated.
“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. 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, recognises the feat that you have achieved and encourages you to even do better.”
Otti added that the state expected the young scholar to sustain his excellent performance throughout his university education and become an inspiration to other students across the country.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, disclosed that the governor had directed her to identify the student and invite him to Abia for official recognition following his exceptional performance in the UTME.
Also speaking, the Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Mr. Ige Bello, and Offorkaile’s father, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile, an indigene of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, said the student’s achievement did not come as a surprise because of his consistent record of academic excellence.
They expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for recognising the student and commended his administration’s commitment to improving education and promoting merit in the state.
Responding, Michael Offorkaile thanked the governor for the honour accorded him, his family and his school, while describing Otti as a leader whose achievements have inspired many young people.
He said, “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 recognition forms part of the Abia State Government’s efforts to encourage academic excellence and motivate young people to pursue outstanding achievements in education.