Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has challenged the management of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), to improve the institution’s rating to at least number three among universities in Nigeria. Currently, ABSU is ranked 37th, which Governor Otti described as “not encouraging”.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a 2-day retreat organized for the Governing Council and Management of ABSU, Governor Otti emphasized the need for the university to move up the rankings. He noted that ABSU was the second state university established in Nigeria and should therefore be ranked higher.
To achieve this goal, Governor Otti tasked the participants at the retreat to come up with a clear vision and strategy to improve ABSU’s rating. He emphasized that the university should aim to be ranked among the top three universities in Nigeria.
In addition to improving its ranking, Governor Otti also announced plans to construct new Faculty of Law and Faculty of Agriculture buildings at Uturu. This is in response to the recommendation of the visitation panel to ABSU, which suggested that the faculties should be relocated to the main campus.
However, upon inspection, it was discovered that the existing buildings were in a state of disrepair and dilapidation. Governor Otti therefore decided to construct new buildings, which will be completed within the shortest time possible.
The governor also expressed concern about the living conditions of ABSU students, who are currently housed in unhealthy hostels. He assured that he would take steps to fix the hostels and provide decent accommodations for the students.
In his remarks, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the ABSU Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, Ph.D, emphasized the need for the university to become a 21st-century global compliant institution. He thanked Governor Otti for selecting a formidable team of technocrats to manage the university.
The event also featured a special lecture from Dr. Hezekiah Madumere, a former Surveyor General and retired Permanent Secretary in Abia state. Overall, the retreat was seen as an opportunity for the university to brainstorm and come up with solutions to critical issues affecting it.
