Otti Offers Jobs, Scholarships to ABSU First-Class Graduates

For many students, graduating with a first-class degree often comes with uncertainty about what comes next. But at Abia State University, that narrative is changing.

Governor Alex Otti has announced automatic lecturing appointments for all first-class graduates of the institution, offering them positions as graduate assistants after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The announcement was made during the university’s combined 30th to 32nd convocation ceremony, where the governor also approved postgraduate scholarships for the beneficiaries—up to PhD level—in any public university of their choice within Nigeria.

Beyond first-class graduates, the opportunity extends to top-performing students across departments with a minimum CGPA of 4.25, reinforcing a broader push to reward academic excellence.

Otti also directed the state’s Head of Service to create employment pathways within the civil service for up to 100 outstanding graduates, particularly in key fields such as education, technology, and health sciences.

In a move aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship among young graduates, the governor earmarked N200 million to support innovative business ideas, especially in agriculture, ICT, and clean energy. Interested graduates are expected to submit proposals before April 30, 2026.

Highlighting individual excellence, the governor presented a personal cash gift of N5 million to the overall best graduating student, Oluchi Etumsi.

The initiative signals a growing shift toward linking academic achievement with real opportunities—jobs, funding, and further education—at a time when many Nigerian graduates face a tough transition into the labour market.

University officials and stakeholders at the ceremony described the interventions as a major boost to both student motivation and institutional development, noting ongoing improvements in infrastructure, staff welfare, and academic expansion within the university.