Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba Holds 22nd Convocation

Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba Holds 22nd Convocation

.Graduates 2,178 • Honours Late Ogbonnaya Onu with Posthumous Award • Governor Otti Pledges ₦100m Support

The Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba (formerly Abia State Polytechnic), was transformed into a spectacle of colours and jubilation on Friday, December 5, 2025, as the institution held its 22nd Convocation Ceremony at the Polytechnic Pavilion.

The epoch-making ceremony marked the first convocation since the institution was renamed Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic in November 2024.

The attendance was unprecedented, drawing dignitaries from across Nigeria, sister tertiary institutions, and members of the public.

Among the high-profile guests were the Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the Polytechnic, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR), members of the Abia State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, among others.

The colourful event commenced with a grand academic procession featuring the graduates, staff, Governing Council, the Rector, and the Visitor to the institution.

The event was masterfully compered by the Registrar, Mr. C. C. Oriaku, whose delivery drew admiration from all present.

In his address, the Rector, Engr. Dr. Christopher Kalu Okoro—widely hailed for his transformational leadership expressed gratitude to God and the distinguished guests for their massive turnout.

He commended Governor Otti for his unprecedented support, describing the governor’s intervention as the best the institution has ever enjoyed.

Dr. Okoro disclosed that, in the past 14 years, the Polytechnic had only held three convocations, two of which occurred within his 22 months in office due to the governor’s encouragement.

He expressed happiness that several organizations now write directly to the Polytechnic requesting their students for internships and industrial attachments—an indicator of rising confidence in the institution’s training quality.

He also thanked Governor Otti for the massive ongoing construction at the Osisioma Campus, announcing that routine academic activities would commence there in January 2026.

Speaking to the graduating students, the Rector emphasized that the future belongs to those who master emerging technologies.

He urged them to invest in digital skills, embrace innovation, and position themselves within Nigeria’s growing industrial value chains.

Chairman of the Governing Council, Engr. Stanley Egege, extolled the governor’s relentless support and praised the Rector’s visionary leadership.

He described Dr. Okoro as the “magic behind the transformation,” adding that the institution has become the envy of other tertiary schools nationwide.

Other dignitaries also praised the governor for the sweeping reforms witnessed in the Polytechnic over the past two years—especially the prompt payment of salaries and the infrastructural development at the Osisioma Permanent Site.

The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, noted with satisfaction that examination malpractice and sorting have become things of the past under the current administration.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Eme Uche Eme, described the Polytechnic as “the pride of Abia State.”

In his speech titled “Education as Responsibility,” Governor Otti announced a ₦1 million entrepreneurship grant for each of 100 graduating students with feasible, bankable and scalable business ideas—amounting to ₦100 million.

He urged interested graduates who made Distinction to submit comprehensive business plans electronically to oggh@abiastate.gov.ng on or before December 31, 2025, for evaluation and final selection.

The governor recalled that during the institution’s combined 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 Convocation last year, he had awarded ₦1 million each to 150 graduates (₦150 million) with entrepreneurial interests.

He assured the new beneficiaries that their progress would be closely monitored and that exceptional performers would receive additional government support.

Governor Otti also announced a six-month field technical training programme for 200 students with proven technical competence, noting that the selection criteria would be released soon.

According to him, the interventions are part of his administration’s commitment to linking tertiary education with enterprise and industry.

He further praised the Polytechnic’s management for the “holistic success” recorded in the past two years, expressing delight at the infrastructural transformation at the Osisioma Permanent Site.

One of the high points of the convocation was the presentation of a posthumous award to the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, after whom the Polytechnic was renamed. The award was received by his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Chinyere Onu.

Presenting the award, Governor Otti described the late statesman as a visionary leader whose ingenuity led to the establishment of the then Abia State Polytechnic.

He noted that renaming the institution after him was a deliberate effort to immortalize his legacy.

In her response, Dr. (Mrs.) Chinyere Onu expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and the entire institution for the prestigious award presented to her late husband.

She described Governor Otti as the best thing that has happened to Abia State and prayed God to continue to be with him as he pilots the state to greater heights.

The Polytechnic conferred National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and Certificate awards on 2,178 graduates across various disciplines.

Several outstanding students received prizes and were shortlisted among the beneficiaries of the governor’s entrepreneurship and technical training programmes.

Dean of the School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT), Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze, described the 22nd Convocation as the fastest in the history of the institution.

He explained that the timely graduation is of immense benefits to both the institution and the students by enhancing institutional credibility and enabling graduates to proceed quickly to NYSC, industrial attachments, employment, entrepreneurship or further studies.

He praised the Rector for the tremendous transformation witnessed in the Polytechnic under two years and thanked Governor Otti for his unwavering support.

Dr. Nwaeze also commended the Management Staff and Students for contributing to the institution’s remarkable progress.

The successful event attracted a wide array of top personalities, including senior government officials, traditional rulers, captains of industry, religious leaders, scholars and community leaders.

Among them were Senator Darlington Nwokocha; the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; Chief Whip of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Obioma; Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, Hon. Lucky Johnson, Hon. Aaron Uzodike, the Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mba, among others.