Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the expansion of the ThriveAbia Digital Capacity Development and Mentorship Programme to accommodate 1,000 young people in its first cohort, following the successful completion of its pilot phase involving 100 participants.
The approval was granted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, when Governor Otti received a delegation led by Mrs. Doris Akpuha, Director and Co-founder of Tech Excentric, the technical partner responsible for implementing the programme.
Impressed by the achievements recorded during the pilot phase, the governor directed the immediate expansion of the initiative to provide more young people in Abia State with access to digital skills training, mentorship and employment opportunities.
Governor Otti emphasised the need for swift implementation, noting that the programme would help prepare young Abians for emerging opportunities in the global digital economy.
He also explained that the expanded programme would adopt a competitive selection process, with applicants required to undergo testing before proceeding to subsequent stages.
The governor stated that the selection process must be transparent and based strictly on merit, proposing computer-based examinations and additional assessments to identify qualified candidates.
87% GRADUATION RATE RECORDED IN PILOT PHASE
Governor Otti congratulated the ThriveAbia team on the successful training of the first 100 participants, describing the results as encouraging and worthy of commendation.
He particularly highlighted the programme’s 87 per cent graduation rate and the significant participation of women, noting that more than half of the beneficiaries were female.
According to the governor, the programme has already begun producing tangible economic benefits, with a substantial number of graduates reportedly earning income in foreign currencies through opportunities created by their newly acquired digital skills.
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He expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far and reiterated his administration’s commitment to initiatives that equip young people with relevant skills to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world
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