The Abia State Government has approved a one-time ₦25,000 transport and logistics allowance for newly recruited teachers who participated in the recent orientation exercise organised by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Gov. Alex Otti gave the approval as part of his administration’s effort to support the integration of new teachers into the public school system and reinforce its commitment to improving education delivery in the state.
In an official statement issued in Umuahia, as seen by THE WHISTLER on Friday, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, described the initiative as a deliberate show of support aimed at easing the financial burden on new teachers as they settle into their roles across various parts of the state.
“This allowance is a token of encouragement from the government to show that we value the contribution of our teachers right from day one.
“It is also in line with Governor Otti’s education reform agenda, which places high priority on teacher welfare, quality teaching, and effective learning,” Ubochi said.
To receive the stipend, eligible teachers are required to submit their bank details through the official recruitment portal accessible via the ministry’s website.
The Commissioner assured that the funds will be disbursed promptly upon submission.
The orientation programme, which preceded the announcement, focused on critical areas of professional development including teaching ethics, classroom management, curriculum delivery, and education policy awareness.
It was designed to equip teachers with the skills necessary to meet the state’s expectations for quality education.
Reacting to the development, a former Commissioner for Education in the state, Chief Richard Harrison, commended the gesture, describing it as a “bold and timely intervention” that reflects a practical understanding of the needs of educators.
“Motivating teachers through such incentives is a vital strategy for improving learning outcomes. This move shows that Abia is not just recruiting teachers but is also taking deliberate steps to support and retain them,” Harrison said.
The initiative comes at a time when many states in Nigeria are facing challenges with teacher morale and underfunded education systems.
For Abia, the move is seen by stakeholders as a step in the right direction, one that may signal a more intentional approach to education reform under the current administration.