Gov. Alex Otti Rewards 2026 UTME Top Scorer Michael Offorkaile, Pledges Educational Support

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has pledged to support the university education of Michael Offorkaile, the Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), making him one of the top five highest-scoring candidates in Nigeria.

The governor made the commitment on Monday while receiving Michael, his parents, and representatives of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, at the Government House.

Congratulating the student on his outstanding achievement, Otti said excellence deserves recognition and encouragement, stressing that his administration remains committed to rewarding hard work and merit.

According to the governor, the recognition is not just about celebrating a high UTME score but about inspiring other young Nigerians to pursue academic excellence.

"We believe in recognising excellence wherever we find it," Otti said. "Your achievement should motivate other students to work hard because exceptional performance will always be celebrated in Abia State."

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The governor noted that Michael's impressive UTME result marks only the beginning of a much bigger academic journey. He encouraged the student to remain focused throughout his university education and strive for even greater accomplishments.

He also assured the family that the Abia State Government would provide support for the student's academic pursuits. To ensure the promise is fulfilled, Otti directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to work out the details of the assistance, while the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication was asked to coordinate with Michael's parents on the necessary follow-up.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, disclosed that the governor personally instructed the ministry to locate the high-performing candidate so he could be officially recognised for bringing pride to the state.

Speaking during the visit, the Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Mr. Ige Bello, described Michael as an exceptional student whose outstanding UTME performance reflected years of consistent academic excellence.

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Michael's father, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile, who hails from Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, also expressed gratitude to the governor, saying the recognition would encourage more students to pursue excellence in their studies.

Responding, Michael thanked Governor Otti for the honour, describing the gesture as both motivating and inspiring.

He promised to remain committed to academic excellence and to continue serving as a positive example for students across Abia State and Nigeria.

"I sincerely appreciate this recognition," Michael said. "It inspires me to keep striving for excellence, and I hope my journey encourages other students to believe that hard work truly pays."

Michael Offorkaile's score of 367 places him among the highest-performing candidates in the 2026 UTME, a feat that has earned him national recognition and further highlighted the importance of dedication, discipline, and quality education in achieving academic success.

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