The Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic in Aba, the Abia State College of Education Technical in Arochukwu, and other higher education institutions controlled by the state government will not be transformed into universities, according to Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
In response to accusations that the state’s immediate previous administration turned three schools into universities before leaving office, the governor made the statement on Friday in Umuahia.
Governor Otti clarified that managing several universities puts financial and administrative strain on a state, adding that he was unaware of this conversion by the previous Abia administration.
He said that Abia State University, Uturu, and privately owned institutions can offer the necessary services in the state, pointing out that the duplication of universities denies the schools sufficient funding and quality attention.
“You have three vice chancellors, three registrars, and three administrative buildings if you establish three institutions.
Governor Otti declared, “I won’t be an apostle of duplicating universities when you have one you can fund very well and take advantage of.”
The governor of Abia stated that maintaining the status of the state’s higher education institutions while providing adequate funding was more important to him.