Otti Flags Off Second Cohort of Abia TechRise Training Programme for Youths

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially launched the second cohort of the Abia TechRise Training Programme, an initiative designed to equip young people with cutting-edge digital skills and boost economic growth in the state.

The three-month intensive programme, themed “Redefining the Future”, will train 850 youths across the 17 Local Government Areas in Software Development, Animation, Coding, Machine Learning, Data Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and other in-demand digital skills.

This builds on the success of the first cohort, completed in May 2025, where 510 youths graduated and 19 outstanding trainees were offered automatic employment in the Abia State Civil Service.

Declaring the event open in Aba, Governor Otti—represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu—described the initiative as more than a training exercise.

“Today marks a defining moment in our state’s journey towards a brighter, more prosperous future. We are lighting the fuse of innovation and igniting the potential of our greatest assets—our young people,” he said.

Governor Otti stressed that the programme is a deliberate step to bridge the digital skills gap and prevent unemployment from worsening due to the fast-changing global economy.

“We are not training you to simply find jobs, but to create them. This is about turning young people into entrepreneurs, innovators, and job creators who will drive our local economy and compete globally,” he added.

He urged participants to take the programme seriously, noting that the skills acquired would enable them to execute projects for international clients, attract foreign exchange, and contribute to Abia’s economic stability.

The Mayor of Umunneochi LGA, Hon. Sunday Afuruobi, speaking on behalf of Local Government Chairmen, thanked Governor Otti for prioritizing youth development and encouraged participants to embrace the training with the resilience and creativity the Igbo are known for.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, emphasized that the boot camp is designed to foster innovation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship. She revealed that more than 8,000 young people applied for the programme, but only 850 made it through the rigorous selection process.

The event also featured a documentary, “The Journey So Far”, presented by Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, CEO of Learn Factory Nigeria, highlighting the impact of TechRise 1.0 and the vision for TechRise 2.0.

With this second phase underway, the Otti administration says it is determined to position Abia as a hub of digital excellence where youths are not just consumers of technology, but creators of it.