Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially received Master Michael Offorkaile, the Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, and has pledged government support to further his education. The governor, who hosted the teenager, his parents, and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, July 20, 2026, described the student's achievement as a testament to hard work and excellence. Offorkaile emerged as the joint fifth-highest scorer nationwide in the 2026 UTME, a feat that has drawn recognition from the state government and praise from the governor.
Governor Otti, who commended the teenager on his outstanding performance, reaffirmed that his administration, founded on the principles of meritocracy, would continue to celebrate Abia indigenes who excel in all facets of society. "We don't take this for granted. The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well. As a government founded on meritocracy, we will not stop celebrating people who do well," the governor said. He also directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Emeh Uche, to work out the details of the educational support, while the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Dodoh Okafor, was instructed to liaise with the beneficiary's parents on the necessary follow-up.
The governor, however, cautioned the young scholar against complacency, urging him to see the JAMB success as just the beginning of a longer academic journey. "We also want this to be an encouragement to him because the journey has just started. JAMB is the little roadblock you have to go through to now start a degree programme of four years. So, having been celebrated because you came first, we expect that you even do better as you go to the university," Otti said. He added that the state government would stand behind him throughout his academic pursuit. "And as a state, we will support you. I believe that the details of the support will be worked out with the Commissioner for Tertiary Education. But I think what is most important is for you to know that your state is behind you, recognises the feat that you have achieved and encourages you to even do better," the governor said.
Introducing the top scorer to the governor, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, said the governor had directed her to locate the student and bring him to the state for recognition. She noted that it was not easy to reach him as his school strictly follows all regulations and restrictions, which she described as impressive. The Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Mr Ige Bello, and Offorkaile's father, Mr Odinaka Offorkaile, who hails from Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, said they were not surprised by the student's outstanding performance, given his consistent academic excellence.
In his response, the highly elated Michael Offorkaile thanked Governor Otti for the honour done to him, his family, and his school. Describing the governor as his role model, the teenager assured him that he would continue to strive to make Abia State and Nigeria proud. "I want to thank you for what you have done for me and my family, and also my school today. I will also try my best to keep performing, keep inspiring, and keep encouraging students from Abia and Nigeria," he said.
The meeting was part of the governor's ongoing effort to identify and celebrate excellence among Abia indigenes, particularly in education, which his administration has consistently prioritised. Offorkaile's achievement places him among the top performers in the 2026 UTME, with the overall highest scorer, Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin from Ekiti State, scoring 372. While the exact details of the state's support are yet to be finalised, the governor's pledge underscores the administration's commitment to rewarding hard work and encouraging young people to aim for academic excellence.
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