Otti to sponsor Abia student who scored 367 in 2026 UTME, ranked fifth nationwide

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pledged to support the education of Master Michael Offorkaile, the Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), emerging as the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.

The governor made the announcement on Monday while receiving the student, his parents and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, at the Government House.

Congratulating Offorkaile on his remarkable achievement, Otti said the state government would not take such academic excellence for granted and promised to support his educational journey.

He directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to work out the details of the support, while instructing the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, to liaise with the student’s parents on the necessary follow-up.

According to the governor, Abia will continue to recognise and celebrate excellence, stressing that outstanding achievements should serve as motivation for other young people.

«”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. Having been celebrated because you came first, we expect that you even do better as you go to the university.»

«”As a state, we will support you. The Commissioner for Tertiary Education will work out the details, but what is most important is for you to know that your state is behind you, recognises your achievement and encourages you to do even better,” Otti said.»

The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, disclosed that the governor had directed her to identify the student and bring him to Abia for recognition.

The Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Mr. Ige Bello, and Offorkaile’s father, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile, said the student’s outstanding performance was the result of consistent hard work and academic excellence.

They commended Governor Otti for recognising the young scholar and praised his administration’s commitment to education.

Responding, Michael Offorkaile expressed gratitude to the governor for the honour and support.

«”I want to thank you for what you have done for me, my family and my school today. I will continue to do my best, keep performing, keep inspiring and encouraging students from Abia State and across Nigeria,” he said.»