Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, on Monday, July 20, 2026, officially received Master Michael Offorkaile, the Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 JAMB/UTME, making him the 5th highest scorer in the country.
The Governor received the brilliant student, his parents, and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, in his office.
The Governor congratulated Master Offorkaile on the outstanding feat and said the State Government does not take it for granted.
Governor Otti reaffirmed that his administration is founded on meritocracy and will continue to celebrate Abia indigenes who excel in all facets of society.
“We don’t take this for granted. We really appreciate your visit. The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well. And as a government founded on meritocracy, we will not stop celebrating people who do well.
“We also want him to be a source of encouragement to those coming after him. And to know that when they do well, they will be celebrated,” the Governor said.
Governor Otti vowed to support the young scholar’s academic pursuit and directed that the details of the support be worked out by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
He further directed the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, to liaise with the parents of the beneficiary for further directives.
Governor Otti urged Master Offorkaile to see the JAMB success as just the beginning and to aim higher in his University education.
“We also want this to be an encouragement to him because the journey has just started. JAMB is the little roadblock you have to go through to now start a degree programme of four years.
“So, having been celebrated because you came first, we expect that you even do better as you go to the University. And as a State, we will support you. I believe that the details of the support will be worked out by the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
“But, I think what’s most important is for you to know that your State is behind you, recognises the feat that you have performed and encourages you to even do better,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, while introducing the top scorer to the Governor, said the Governor had mandated her to fish out the boy and bring him to the State to be honoured.
She noted that it was not easy to reach him as the school strictly follows all regulations and restrictions, which she described as impressive. She congratulated the student and the management of the school that produced him.
The Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Mr. Ige Bello, and the father of the lad, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile from Umunneochi LGA, said they were not surprised at the feat achieved by Master Offorkaile, given his excellent academic antecedents.
They appreciated the Governor for the honour done to the lad and for his immense support to education as well as the good governance he has entrenched in Abia State, and prayed God to bless him.
In his response, the highly elated top JAMB scorer, Master Michael Offorkaile, thanked Governor Otti for the honour done to him, his family, and his school.
He described the Governor as his role model and assured that he would continue to perform and make Abia State and Nigeria proud.
“I want to thank you for what you have done for me and my family, and also my school today. And I will also try my best to keep performing, keep inspiring, keep encouraging students from Abia and Nigeria.”
The school principal later presented a yearbook of the school to the Governor.
Members of the State Executive Council were present at the visit.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
