Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has given N1 million each to five students who represented the state and Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar. He also announced a full scholarship, up to university level, for the team’s 15-year-old captain, Esther Christian.
Otti made the announcements on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, where he hosted the students in honour of their performance at the competition.
The scholarship will be provided through the Alex Otti Foundation. Esther reportedly lost her father when she was four.
Beyond the team members, the governor presented N1 million to Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School, winner of a recent national essay competition. He also gave N750,000 each to the officials who accompanied the team, and N1.75 million to Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham, Osisioma Ngwa, the school that produced the debaters.
Presenting trophies, medals and certificates to the students, Otti restated his administration’s commitment to improving education through sustained investment, better infrastructure and wider access to quality learning.
“This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you,” he said.
The governor also approved the students’ request to compete in the 2027 edition of the championship. He acknowledged progress in the state’s education sector but said more work remained to be done.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, described the achievements as only the beginning of what sustained investment in education could deliver. He expressed optimism that the impact of the government’s interventions would become more visible.
Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Lydia Ezinne Onuoha, who led the delegation to Qatar, said the students stood out among the leading teams. She explained that in the five final rounds, participants were given impromptu topics and just 15 minutes to prepare and present their arguments.
According to her, the Abia team won four trophies and 12 medals after competing against representatives from six countries. The trophies were for Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Debater and Best Leadership. Team members also ranked among the top 10 speakers in a tournament that drew more than 84 teams.
The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, Elder Oritu Dare, praised the governor’s work in the state, especially on infrastructure. He said he had noticed a clear difference between his earlier visits under previous administrations and his latest one. Dare added that the team’s showing had opened the door for Nigeria to take part in the next edition, scheduled for Singapore.
The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs Unyime Umoette, also noted changes in the sector, saying public schools were becoming more functional. She urged public office holders to adopt schools in their communities and support their development.
Speaking for the parents, Mr Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for hosting the students and backing education, calling their international achievement a source of pride.
Esther Christian recounted the team’s experience at the competition and thanked the governor and the officials who supported them. She pledged that the team would keep making Abia State and Nigeria proud, and appealed for approval to take part in the 2027 championship.
Parents of the students and senior government officials were present at the event.
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