Otti Rewards Tech Talent: Abia to Employ 50 TechRise Stars as 849 Graduate, Receive Laptops and Cash Support

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the automatic employment of 50 outstanding graduates of the TechRise Project into the Abia State Civil Service, as 849 youths completed the TechRise Cohort 2 ICT training programme.

The announcement was made on Saturday during the graduation ceremony held at the JAAC Building, Umuahia, where the Governor also directed the Head of Service to immediately commence documentation for the beneficiaries.

Speaking under the theme “To Make a Difference,” Governor Otti explained that the employment offer would be subject to the availability of required credentials and strict adherence to due process. He emphasized that the move aligns with his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for excellence to thrive within the state.

“In line with our culture of creating spaces for the best to work and thrive right here in Abia, we shall be absorbing 50 of the most outstanding graduates into relevant positions across Ministries, Departments and Agencies,” the Governor said.

He further noted that while the embargo on employment had been temporarily lifted to accommodate the 50 graduates, it would be reinstated immediately after the process, adding that exceptional talents would continue to be rewarded through structured incentives within the civil service.

Governor Otti also announced that all 849 graduates would receive laptops to support their careers, while prize-winning participants would earn an additional ₦100,000 each. In the spirit of the season, he approved ₦50,000 as Christmas support for every graduate and directed that transportation be provided to convey them to their respective local government headquarters.

The Governor explained that the TechRise initiative reflects his administration’s belief in the creativity and potential of Abia youths, noting that the programme has now trained a total of 1,359 beneficiaries within 12 months, following the earlier graduation of 510 participants in May.

According to him, the graduates will provide critical manpower for the state’s ongoing digital transformation, stressing that leadership is about creating opportunities rather than “spoon-feeding.”

Describing TechRise as a strategic investment in human capital, Governor Otti said the programme was designed to produce a pool of competent ICT professionals capable of driving innovation, development and efficient service delivery across Abia State.

He disclosed that participants were trained in full-stack development, cybersecurity, mobile app development, data and AI engineering, digital arts and animation, among other cutting-edge fields. He urged the graduates to remain focused, continuously upgrade their skills and deploy their expertise to grow the state’s economy.

While commending the Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Sports and Youth Development, as well as the 17 local government chairmen, Governor Otti praised what he described as a new benchmark in inter-agency collaboration.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, described TechRise as an advanced digital skills initiative jointly implemented by the Abia State Government and the 17 local governments in partnership with LearnFactory Nigeria. He stressed that the graduation marked more than certificate awards, but a strategic step toward economic competitiveness.

The Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu, encouraged the graduates to keep learning and innovating, noting that policies such as the Abia Startup Law have created a supportive ecosystem for tech-driven enterprises.

On his part, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, described the graduates as agents of change equipped to drive prosperity across the state.

Also speaking, the TechRise Coordinator and CEO of LearnFactory Nigeria, Mr. Chibueze Ukegbu, said the programme was designed to produce not just skilled technicians, but leaders with strong character, capacity and entrepreneurial mindset.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, a Cohort 1 graduate and team leader of a prize-winning project, Charles Ikechukwu, said the programme empowered his team to develop a digital waste management solution to support environmental sustainability efforts.

The event featured project presentations, award and certificate presentations, and a minute of silence in honour of a participant, Princewill Ogbunna, who passed away shortly after completing the programme.