The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Esq ., on Friday May 29, 2026 presented a comprehensive account of the sector’s transformation over the past three years under the administration of Governor Bassey Otu at a high-level Town Hall Meeting in Abuja.

The event, held at the prestigious Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, drew an influential audience of government officials, political leaders, stakeholders from all 18 local government areas, and Cross River indigenes resident in the Federal Capital Territory.

Delivering his presentation, Professor Odey described education as the cornerstone of sustainable development, emphasizing that the Otu-led administration has deliberately prioritized the sector through strategic reforms and targeted investments aimed at achieving global competitiveness.

He highlighted sweeping improvements across infrastructure, manpower development, policy implementation, and access to quality education, noting that the administration has repositioned the sector for measurable impact and long-term growth.

Among the landmark achievements is the full renovation and modernization of the Ministry of Education Headquarters, now equipped with solar power systems, ICT facilities, CCTV surveillance, and upgraded office infrastructure to enhance productivity and efficiency.

The Commissioner revealed that the state successfully accessed over ₦17 billion in intervention funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission between 2023 and 2025, following the prompt payment of counterpart funding. These resources facilitated the execution of 229 projects, including construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, installation of boreholes, and provision of over 23,000 customized school furniture across the state.

In a major milestone for academic development, the remodeled and digitized State Library Complex—commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima—has significantly enhanced access to research and learning resources.

Addressing examination support, Professor Odey noted that the government has consistently funded West African Examinations Council registration for indigenous students in public secondary schools since 2023. Within three years, 43,694 students benefitted at a cost exceeding ₦1.1 billion, contributing to improved performance in both WAEC and National Examinations Council, with Cross River now ranking among top-performing states nationally.

The Commissioner also announced the successful establishment and take-off of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa, which has secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission and commenced academic activities.

Further gains include the promotion of over 14,000 teaching and non-teaching staff, recruitment of additional educators, continuous professional development programmes, and strengthened quality assurance mechanisms across schools. He added that reforms such as the digitization of examination processes, annual school census exercises, bursary approvals through the State Scholarship Board, and the enactment of the Senior Secondary Education Board Law, 2026, have positioned the state to access additional intervention funding.

Professor Odey emphasized that the administration has demonstrated unmatched financial commitment to education, with over ₦265 billion allocated to the sector between 2024 and 2026. He also highlighted numerous national recognitions earned by the Ministry in areas including educational administration, science innovation, sports development, and environmental sustainability.

Expressing gratitude to Governor Otu for his visionary leadership, the Commissioner stated that the administration has firmly placed education at the center of Cross River’s development agenda.
“These achievements reflect a deliberate commitment to building a knowledge-driven society and securing a brighter future for Cross Riverians through quality education,” he affirmed.

The event also featured the unveiling of Governor Otu’s three-year scorecard across key sectors.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey; Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem; Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong; Hon. Emil Inyang; Hon. Peter Akpanke; Chief of Staff Emmanuel Ironbar, alongside commissioners, political appointees, and Cross River stakeholders resident in Abuja.

By SaintAugustine Adula Odey