Abia State Governor Alex Otti has made it clear that he will not transform Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic in Aba, the Abia State College of Education Technical in Arochukwu, or any other state-owned tertiary institution into a full-fledged university.
Speaking in Umuahia on Friday, the governor addressed rumors that the former administration had upgraded three colleges into universities before leaving office. He stated that he was unaware of such conversions and stressed that operating multiple universities puts immense financial and administrative strain on the state.
Otti highlighted that having several universities creates duplication—multiple vice chancellors, registrars, and administrative complexes—which drains resources that could otherwise be channeled into a single, well-funded institution. “I will not be an advocate for multiplying universities when you can properly finance one and make the most of it,” he remarked.
He argued that spreading funding across several universities prevents any one institution from receiving the attention and resources it deserves. Instead, he pointed out that Abia State University in Uturu, together with privately owned universities in the state, can adequately meet the educational needs of citizens.
The governor affirmed that his priority is to ensure adequate financing of existing higher learning institutions while preserving their current status. “I am more focused on funding the schools we have properly rather than creating new ones that may end up underfunded,” Otti concluded.