Training begins for 4,074 newly recruited teachers in Nigeria’s Abia State
A five-day professional development seminar for 4,074 newly recruited teachers has begun in Abia State, Nigeria. The event was opened in Umuahia, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
State Governor Alex Otti, represented at the opening by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubriochi, said teachers are the biggest beneficiaries of education-sector reforms. According to him, the recruitment resulted from a policy of transparency and merit-based selection.
Otti said that 4,074 teachers were recruited from among 21,000 candidates who successfully passed the selection process. He urged the new employees to safeguard their positions, saying their names are still written in pencil.
Candidate selection
Lydia Onuoha, chairperson of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, said the new teachers underwent computer-based testing and interviews. According to her, 36,000 applicants took part in the selection process.
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Chigozie Ekeoma, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, called the training an important event for the state’s education system. She stressed that upgrading school infrastructure alone will not bring change without qualified teachers.
The seminar will continue until September 12
Ekeoma urged participants to demonstrate professional commitment, be punctual, and continuously improve themselves. She assured them that the ministry would provide new teachers with the necessary tools, mentorship, and working conditions.
Friday Madu, chairman of the state teachers’ union, said the Otti administration recruited more than 5,000 teachers in 2025 and another more than 4,000 this year. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the seminar is scheduled to end on September 12.
