Umuahia — In a decisive move to sanitize the academic environment and restore the dwindling prestige of the state’s premier tertiary institution, the Abia State Government has officially constituted a high-powered five-member Special Investigative Committee. The panel is tasked with probing deeply into systemic allegations of harassment, extortion, bribery, and certificate forgery involving various staff members and students at the Abia State University (ABSU).
The announcement was made public on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, during a comprehensive press briefing at the Government House in Umuahia. The briefing followed the conclusion of the State Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by the Executive Governor, Dr. Alex Otti. According to the Commissioner, this intervention is a cornerstone of the current administration’s broader agenda to uphold the highest ethical and academic standards in the state-owned university.
The investigative committee is composed of individuals described as possessing the integrity and administrative experience necessary to navigate the complexities of a university system. The panel is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, a figure known for his rigorous approach to public service. Serving as the Secretary of the committee is the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dodoh Okafor. The other three members rounding out the team include Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, Professor Idowu Eluwa, and Professor Lawrence Idemudua, the latter two bringing significant academic and administrative pedigree to the investigation.
Commissioner Kanu explained that the panel’s primary assignment is not merely to investigate but to identify specific individuals—be they academic staff, non-academic staff, or students—involved in the alleged misconduct. Once identified, the committee is mandated to recommend appropriate disciplinary or legal actions to the Visitor of the university, who is Governor Alex Otti.
A specific point of focus for the committee will be the disturbing allegations of bribery and certificate forgery currently leveled against a prominent lecturer at the institution. These allegations have recently surfaced in the public domain, threatening the credibility of degrees issued by the university. The panel will also take a retrospective look at the 2024 White Paper on the previous university investigation panel. They are tasked with assessing the level of implementation of that document’s recommendations, identifying existing gaps that have allowed misconduct to persist, and suggesting new ways to close those loopholes.
The Commissioner noted that the committee would not act as a parallel administration but would work in close synergy with the university’s Governing Council to ensure that the autonomy of the institution is respected even as accountability is enforced. The committee is expected to identify perpetrators and make appropriate recommendations to the Visitor. It will examine allegations of bribery and forged certificates, as well as determine the extent of implementation of the 2024 white paper, Kanu stated during the briefing.
Beyond the immediate crisis at Abia State University, the Commissioner used the briefing to highlight a series of sweeping education reforms currently being rolled out across the state. He announced that the 2026 Annual School Census commenced on Monday, May 11, across all seventeen local government areas. This census is designed to generate reliable, up-to-the-minute data that will serve as the foundation for future planning and policy formulation.
Importantly, the data gathered during this month-long exercise will determine the state’s eligibility for and distribution of the Hope Education Intervention Grant. This grant is a key component of the Otti administration’s strategy to revitalize crumbling school infrastructure and provide learning materials to underserved communities. The exercise will cover schools across the three senatorial zones and is expected to be completed within thirty days.
In a bid to ensure that education is inclusive, Kanu further revealed that the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education has taken significant strides. The agency has established 140 learning centers throughout the state. These centers are specifically designed to provide educational opportunities for adults and other individuals who, for various socio-economic reasons, missed out on formal schooling earlier in their lives. This initiative aligns with the government’s vision of achieving a near-total literacy rate in the state within the next decade.
Furthermore, the Commissioner touched upon the professional development of educators within the basic education sector. He noted that the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) recently concluded a series of intensive training and capacity-building programs. This particular phase of training targeted 265 primary school headteachers and 306 Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) teachers. The goal is to improve the administrative efficiency of public schools and enhance the quality of instruction provided to the state’s youngest learners.
The cumulative effect of these actions—ranging from the high-stakes probe at ABSU to the statewide school census—paints a picture of an administration determined to overhaul the education sector from the bottom up. For the students and faculty at Abia State University, the inauguration of the Pastor Caleb Ajagba-led committee marks a significant turning point. For years, rumors of "sorting" (a local term for bribery for grades) and administrative malpractice have dogged the institution. The state government’s current stance suggests that the era of looking the other way has come to an end.
As the committee begins its work, the eyes of the academic community and the general public will be on Umuahia. The successful investigation and prosecution of those found guilty of forgery and extortion would serve as a powerful deterrent and a signal that the integrity of an Abia State University degree is no longer up for negotiation. Kanu concluded his briefing by reiterating that the exercise is designed to provide reliable data and enhance access to intervention grants, but ultimately, it is about restoring the pride of Abia as a center of excellence.
