GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI REWARDS WORLD DEBATE CHAMPIONS WITH ₦1M CASH PRIZES AND UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Abia State Governor honors five public school students following historic victory representing Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced cash rewards of ₦1 million each and a fully funded educational scholarship for five public school students who represented Nigeria and emerged victorious at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship held in Doha, Qatar.  

Receiving the championship delegation at Government House in Umuahia, Governor Otti approved a fully funded university scholarship for the 15-year-old team captain, Miss Esther Christian, in addition to her cash prize. The governor also approved cash gifts of ₦750,000 each for the accompanying chaperones and officials, alongside ₦1.75 million for Abia Junior Model Secondary School, Umuahia, which produced the championship-winning debaters.  

Addressing the students, traditional leaders, and state officials during the reception, Governor Otti commended the team for bringing international laurels to Abia State and the nation at large, reaffirming his administration’s policy of celebrating academic excellence and investing heavily in public education infrastructure.

"This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you," Governor Otti stated, while granting immediate approval for the state’s debate team to participate in the 2027 edition of the international tournament.

Abia State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, noted that the international accolades reflect the direct impact of the state government’s educational reforms, free basic education policies, and sustained investments in public school academic programs.