The Abia State Executive Council has constituted a five-member Special Investigative Committee to probe allegations of harassment and extortion involving students and lecturers at Abia State University.
The State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
According to Kanu, the committee was established as part of efforts to maintain high academic and ethical standards at the state-owned institution.
He said the panel is chaired by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, while the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dodoh Okafor, will serve as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Chinedu Ekeke, Professor Idowu Eluwa, and Professor Lawrence Idemudua.
Kanu explained that the committee has been mandated to identify individuals involved in the alleged misconduct and make recommendations to the university’s Visitor.
He added that the panel will also investigate bribery allegations against a lecturer, including claims that the same individual submitted forged academic certificates.
The committee is further expected to assess the implementation of recommendations contained in the 2024 investigation panel’s white paper and identify any gaps in the process.
In addition, the panel has been tasked with examining other issues relevant to ongoing efforts aimed at restoring Abia State University’s reputation as a centre of academic excellence in teaching and research.
Kanu noted that the committee would work closely with the university’s governing council during the investigation.
The commissioner also announced the commencement of the 2026 Annual School Census across the state, stating that the exercise began on Monday and is expected to last for one month.
According to him, the census is intended to provide accurate educational data for planning, policy formulation, and access to the Hope Education Intervention Grant for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
He said the exercise would cover schools across the three senatorial zones of the state.
Kanu further disclosed that the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education has established 140 learning centres across the state to improve access to education for adults and out-of-school individuals.
He also revealed that the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board recently organised training programmes for 265 headteachers and 306 Early Childhood Care Development teachers as part of the state government’s ongoing education reforms.
The developments come amid broader efforts by the Alex Otti administration to reposition public schools and tertiary institutions across the state.