Abia State University (ABSU) has commenced the screening of eligible first-class graduates for automatic employment as Graduate Assistants, fulfilling a directive by the Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the University, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
The screening exercise, which began on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, marks another milestone in the implementation of Governor Otti’s commitment to rewarding academic excellence and strengthening the quality of teaching and research within the university.
The exercise is specifically for first-class graduates from the University’s combined 30th, 31st and 32nd Convocation Ceremonies who have successfully completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Successful candidates will proceed with the processing and issuance of their employment letters.
Speaking during the screening exercise, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe J. Okeudo, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Roseline Ndimele, expressed delight at the outstanding academic achievements of the graduates.
She described their performance as a source of pride for the university and reaffirmed ABSU’s commitment to recognising excellence and rewarding hard work through meaningful career opportunities.
Professor Ndimele explained that only graduates who have completed the NYSC programme are currently eligible to participate in the screening process. She advised those who are still serving or yet to begin their national service to return after completing the programme to continue with their employment applications.
The University’s Registrar, Dr. Acho Elendu, said the screening exercise was being conducted in strict compliance with Governor Otti’s directive.
He urged all applicants to carefully follow the stipulated guidelines throughout the screening process to avoid errors or omissions that could delay the processing of their appointments.
The ongoing exercise fulfils the landmark announcement made by Governor Otti during ABSU’s combined 30th to 32nd Convocation Ceremony held on March 27, 2026.
At the ceremony, the Governor approved the automatic employment of all first-class graduates from the three convocation sets as Graduate Assistants, subject to the successful completion of the National Youth Service Corps programme.
Governor Otti also extended the opportunity to the best graduating students in every department with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.25.
Beyond employment, the Governor announced that all first-class graduates covered by the initiative would receive postgraduate scholarships to pursue studies up to the doctorate level in any public university of their choice within Nigeria, provided they accept the teaching appointments offered by the university.
The initiative has been widely praised as a major investment in human capital development and a strategic effort to retain exceptional talents within Abia State’s higher education system while encouraging academic excellence among students.
With the commencement of the screening exercise, the Abia State Government has taken another significant step towards fulfilling its promise to reward outstanding academic performance and strengthen the state’s educational institutions through the recruitment of highly qualified young academics.