…VC credits Otti’s reforms for enrollment surge
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A total of 10,255 students of Abia State University (ABSU) will graduate at its forthcoming combined convocation, as the institution records a major turnaround with the restoration of access to Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) research grants.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ndukwe Okeudo, disclosed this during a pre-convocation briefing on Tuesday, noting that the university has overcome longstanding administrative setbacks that previously denied it access to TETFund’s Institution-Based Research (IBR) funding.
According to him, the sanctions arose from the inability of past administrations to properly account for funds received under the scheme. He, however, said the current management has cleared all outstanding retirements, paving the way for renewed access.
“As a result, 33 research proposals from the institution have already secured approval, with 60 per cent of the initial funding released, while an additional 45 proposals are under consideration,” he said.
Beyond research grants, the university has also regained eligibility for TETFund-sponsored academic conferences and staff development programmes after resolving earlier infractions.
Okeudo highlighted growing research output within the institution, including studies on medicinal plants for treating cancer, prostate-related conditions and diarrhoea, as well as innovations in producing wine from local fruits.
Academically, the university has recorded further gains, with eight programmes—including Law, Pharmacy and Mass Communication—recently earning full accreditation from the National Universities Commission.
He added that new programmes such as Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and ICT have been introduced to align with emerging global trends.
The Vice-Chancellor attributed the significant rise in student enrollment to reforms initiated by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, particularly in infrastructure and staffing.
Key interventions, he said, include the renovation of student hostels, construction of new 5,000-bed hostels, development of a modern university pavilion, and an ongoing faculty complex to consolidate academic activities at the Uturu campus.
Other measures include the payment of staff promotion arrears, restoration of accreditation for the university’s teaching hospital in Aba, recruitment of personnel to bridge workforce gaps, deployment of a 10-megawatt solar power project, and strengthened campus security.
The combined 30th to 32nd convocation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 27, with a pre-convocation lecture to be delivered by former Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji.
Okeudo also announced that honorary doctorate degrees will be conferred on the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Air Peace Chairman/CEO, Allen Onyema; and Emzor Pharmaceuticals boss, Stella Okoli.
Reaffirming his mandate to reposition the university after years of decline, the VC commended staff and management for their support, expressing optimism about sustained progress.
He added that ABSU, currently ranked second among state universities and 16th overall in Nigeria in the 2025 Webometrics rankings, is poised for further transformation.
Other principal officers present at the briefing included Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Gazie Okpara; DVC (Administration), Professor Rose Ndimele; Registrar, Dr Acho Elendu; and Bursar, Mark Amaefula.
