Tag: Abia State University (ABSU)

• By Caleb Okechukwu

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, Dr Agwu U. Agwu, has expressed confidence that the institution will be the best state-owned university in Nigeria by 2026.

Agwu gave the assurance while briefing journalists after the 159th Regular Meeting of the ABSU Governing Council held at the Umuahia Campus of the university. He attributed the projected transformation to the pace of infrastructural development currently ongoing in the institution, made possible through the intervention of Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti.

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According to the Pro-Chancellor, the vision of the present Governing Council is to oversee the development of a university where knowledge in Science, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Social and Management Sciences, Humanities and the Arts, alongside entrepreneurial and vocational skills, is effectively harnessed to address the socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

He further disclosed that the council has successfully tackled several academic and administrative challenges that previously hindered the growth of the university, reaffirming its commitment to sustained collaboration with the Abia State Government in repositioning ABSU for greater academic excellence.

Agwu also extended Christmas and New Year goodwill messages to staff and students wishing them a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

He urged members of the university community to remain committed to peace, excellence, and the collective advancement of the institution.

By Caleb Chiemerie Okechukwu

Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has achieved a remarkable milestone in Nigerian legal education, producing five First Class Honours graduates in the 2024 Nigerian Law School Bar Examinations conducted in Abuja.

This exceptional performance represents a historic achievement for the state university and underscores its emergence as a leading institution in legal education. The success comes as ABSU continues to build on its recent 100 per cent success rate in the November/December 2024 National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise.

The five distinguished graduates – Agupusi Kelechi C., Chibuzor Obinna Miracle, Okoronkwo Brendan E., Adiele Marvelous Ezinne, and Nwaji Chizaram M. – have not only brought honour  to their alma mater but have also positioned themselves among Nigeria’s most promising legal practitioners.

This unprecedented achievement reflects ABSU’s transformation under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Onyemachi Maxwell Ogbulu. The university, once primarily recognised for its regional significance, is now establishing itself as a national leader in professional education.

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The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Collins Chijioke, expressed pride in the graduates’ achievements while emphasising the systematic approach that made their success possible.

 “Producing First Class graduates at the Nigerian Law School requires more than intelligent students. It demands a comprehensive system that provides guidance, support, and rigorous preparation throughout the academic journey,” he said.

The faculty’s commitment to academic excellence is evident in its structured mentorship programmes, practical legal training initiatives, and emphasis on professional ethics. These elements have combined to create an environment where students can achieve their highest potential.

The success of these five graduates establishes new benchmarks for ABSU and other state universities across Nigeria. It demonstrates that excellence is achievable regardless of institutional size or funding levels when there is commitment to quality education and student development.

The achievement also inspires other faculties within ABSU and similar institutions to pursue excellence in their respective fields.

It shows that with proper planning, execution, and support, Nigerian universities can compete with the best institutions globally.

For students at Abia State University (ABSU), resumption comes with mixed feelings. They are torn between excitement and apprehension– excited not only because they can’t wait to finish their programmes; but the freedom they have; while for others apprehension comes from the inclement economic situation of the country and the issue of insecurity. CALEB CHIEMERIE OKECHUKWU(ABSU) reports.

As the gates of Abia State University (ABSU) creaked open this week, it wasn’t just a return to classrooms; it was a return to freedom for some, and a reluctant march back to reality for others. The university grounds, once deserted during the break, now hum with the chatter of students dragging boxes, bargaining with bike men, and reuniting with friends in joyous hugs.

The new academic session has brought with it a curious mix of emotions; excitement, anxiety, and sheer apprehension. For many ABSU students, the feeling is like standing at the edge of a cliff – thrilled about the view ahead, but equally terrified of the rocky slope below.

Home chores vs. campus stress: The  difficult choice

For some students, coming back to school feels like being rescued from a never-ending list of chores at home. “I couldn’t wait to leave,” laughs Onyinye, a 200-Level Mass Communication student. “Every morning was ‘sweep this, wash that, pound yam, fetch water.’ At least here, the only thing I sweep is my small corner in the hostel!”

Another student, Chidera Eze, echoes the sentiment: “At home, my mum thinks I’m a machine. No time to rest. Here, I can manage my time, even if campus stress is another trouble.”

For these students, campus, with its chaotic lectures and erratic power supply,  feels like a safe haven. They would rather endure night classes and tight deadlines than face the tyranny of home chores.

But not everyone shares that enthusiasm.

The reluctant returnees

On the other end of the spectrum are students who dragged themselves back to campus with heavy hearts. Their reluctance isn’t because they love chores, but because of the economic hardship that casts a long shadow over the new session.

“I almost didn’t come back,” confesses Ugochukwu Chika.  a 300-level student. “Transport fare alone is killing. Everything in Uturu is expensive, and we have to pay to charge phones because there’s no electricity. Feeding is another headache. At home, at least food is free,” he added.

For some, the thought of juggling academic stress, financial struggles, and skyrocketing prices feels overwhelming. While others are uploading fresh hostel selfies, these reluctant returnees are calculating how to stretch N10,000 for an entire month.

The students who never travelled back home

There exists another group of students; those who did not travel back home and spent the break in school.

These students have a different set of reasons for staying back. For some of them, they are freer in school and can do almost whatever they want without having to answer to a parent or guardian, and so decided not to go home where they are carefully monitored and bound by their parents’ rules.  For  others who live in very far places such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano etc., where transport to and fro is very expensive, they decided that they’d be better off using the money that they otherwise would have used for transport to buy foodstuff  and other things and therefore stay back in school.

The harsh reality of the economy

Nigeria’s economic downturn has spared no one, and ABSU students are caught in the storm. From skyrocketing transport fares to the jaw-dropping cost of basic food items, survival on campus has become an extreme sport.

Transport from Umuahia to Uturu, which once cost N800, now hovers around N2000. A plate of rice and stew that used to cost N500 now goes for N1400. Even the  garri which is  the go-to comfort for broke students, has joined the league of luxury items, with five cups selling for  N1000.

Textbooks, handouts and course materials are also very expensive, and students never seem to buy enough. The addition of rent, buying water, charging of phones, and data subscription gives a perfect recipe for anxiety.

How students plan to scale through

Despite these challenges, ABSU students refuse to let hardship steal their dreams. Their mantra? Adapt or go hungry.

Students are turning ABSU into a hub of micro-enterprises. From POS agents, thrift clothes vendors, makeup artists, and hair stylists to online tutors and graphic designers, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving.

“I do makeup for girls in my hostel,” says Joy Joshua,  a 200-Level Economics student. “It pays my feeding bills. No shame in hustle,” she added.

Gone are the days of carefree spending. Students now plan meals like economists. Bulk cooking, roommate contributions, and meal calendars are the new survival hacks.

“My roommates and I cook together,” explains Samuel Ovie,  a 400-Level Law student. “That way, we save money and avoid wasting food,” he added. Interestingly, financial hardship has birthed an unexpected side effect: renewed academic focus. “Since I can’t afford to go out much, I’ll use the time to study,” said  Uchenna Uzih,  a Political Science student. “If I can’t afford to go out and flex, at least I can use that to study and get good grades,” he added.

Accommodation and hostel politics

Accommodation remains a headache. School hostels are overcrowded, and off-campus housing prices have shot high.  A single room that once went for N70,000 is now N150,000 or more.

“I had to share a self-contained apartment with two friends. Privacy is gone, but what can we do? We just manage,” said Amaka Ezeh, a 300-Level student.

Security fears still linger

Beyond financial stress, security concerns loom large. Students worry about theft, phone snatching, and cult-related violence. The Students Union Government has promised tighter security measures, including night patrols and closer collaboration with local law enforcement personnel.

Still, students are extra cautious.

Chidera Nwosu, a student said: “Your phone is your lifeline. Lose it, and you’re finished. I now keep mine back in my lodge whenever I go out at night.”

Mental health struggles: The silent battle

The stress of juggling academics, financial survival, and insecurity is taking a toll on mental health. Unfortunately, campus counselling services are almost non-existent, leaving many students to vent on social media or confide in close friends.

Hope amid hardship

Despite everything, optimism thrives on ABSU’s campus. Students still dream big, laugh loud, and believe better days will come. Their resilience is a story on its own– a testament to the spirit of Nigerian youth.

“I just tell myself this is temporary.One day, we’ll look back and laugh,” said Chukwudi Udozie,  a 400-Level Optometry student.  As the second semester begins with buzzing hostels, crowded lecture halls, and a share determination to survive, for ABSU students, returning to school is more than just an academic obligation– it’s a balancing act between chasing dreams and dodging economic bullets.

These are not the best of times at the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu. There is palpable tension and fright among students with the upsurge in kidnapping, armed robbery and violent attacks. Students are bemoaning the seeming nonchalance of ABSU authorities  and security operatives in the state, CHUKS OSSAI( ABSU) reports.

The surge in crime has caused tension across the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, causing fear and uncertainty among students and members of staff.

Once considered a relatively quiet institution, the university community now finds itself grappling with rising insecurity, including abductions, robberies, and violent attacks.

Last week, five students were reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen along the infamous Okigwe-Uturu Road, a stretch of road that has, over the years, become synonymous with danger.

According to multiple student sources, the victims were returning to campus when they were intercepted and taken into the bush by armed assailants. The incident sparked immediate panic among students, as rumours swirled on social media platforms and campus forums.

The identity of the abducted students has not been disclosed, and university authorities are yet to release a statement. However, the silence from the school management and local security agencies has further heightened anxiety across the student body.

“The fear is real,” said one student who lives in a hostel close to the area. “If five people can disappear like that, in broad daylight, then no one is safe.”

This chilling incident was followed by yet another act of violence. On Friday, June 27, a commercial motorcycle rider was shot dead by two assailants also on a motorcycle. Witnesses reported that the gunmen struck swiftly and left immediately, taking nothing from the victim – neither money nor belongings – leading many to believe the act may have been targeted or intended to create chaos.

“We are no longer safe to even move around. Whether you’re a student, bike man, or trader, anything can happen to you now,” a witness said.

These incidents are not anomalies. Over the past few months, the frequency and severity of crimes reported in and around the university have escalated alarmingly. Students have recounted tales of phone snatching, nighttime robberies, and threats of violence. In many cases, victims are left traumatised, with little hope of justice or recovery of their stolen property.

About two weeks prior to the abductions, a first-year Mass Communication student had a nasty encounter.

“I went to Upgate to collect my phone and power bank where I had plugged it earlier. It was around 7 p.m. and I was on my way back when two men came out of the bush. They asked me to lay down, and I did.

“They pointed a gun at me and asked for my phone. I gave it to them. They told me to put my password, and I did. Then, right there, they formatted the phone and took the power bank too. After that, they just walked back into the bush,” he said.

When asked if he had reported the incident to security personnel, the student simply shook his head.

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“Report to who? Nobody listens. And if they do, nothing happens.”

This narrative reflects the broader frustration and helplessness that many students now feel. Several others share similar experiences– harassed on the way to class, attacked while running errands, or robbed while returning to their hostels. Yet, few feel that they don’t have any reliable system of support or protection.

“I’ve stopped going out once it’s evening. I’d rather miss my evening lectures than risk my life,” said a female student who lives off-campus.

The insecurity has also impacted commercial activity around the university. Local traders and transport operators have begun closing early, while students are urged by hostel managers to remain indoors after dusk. Previously lively areas like the Upgate Junction and the Students’ Park are now quiet shadows of themselves by 6 p.m.

The Okigwe-Uturu Road, where the most high-profile crimes have occurred, remains particularly treacherous. Its narrow, pothole-riddled lanes flanked by thick bushes offer ideal cover for criminals. Despite being the main route connecting the university to neighbouring towns and transport hubs, the road is largely unpatrolled.

“The road is a deathtrap. There are no lights, no checkpoints, and when something happens, the police come the next day – if at all,” a bus driver said.

In response to the growing crisis, some hostels and student lodges have attempted to organise their own security systems. A few have recruited local vigilance groups or formed internal watch groups to monitor suspicious movements, especially during the evening.

However, these measures raise serious concerns. Without proper training or legal authority, the risk of misjudgment, escalation, and even violence looms large.

“It’s not our job to fight criminals,” said a student who helps coordinate a hostel watch group. “But we’re left with no choice. If we don’t protect ourselves, no one else will.”

University authorities have remained largely silent. While it is believed that discussions may be ongoing behind closed doors regarding security reinforcement and collaboration with local law enforcement, no clear information has been communicated to the student body. This lack of transparency has only deepened the distrust students already feel.

Meanwhile, the state police command has offered a vague promise of “ongoing investigations” and “strategic deployments,” urging students to report incidents promptly and avoid moving at night. For parents and guardians, the situation is equally disturbing. Social media posts from concerned families call for immediate intervention from the state government, with some threatening to withdraw their children from the institution altogether if the insecurity continues.

“I sent my child to school, not a warzone,” wrote one parent in a widely shared Facebook post. “This is beyond unfortunate — it is unacceptable.”

The growing tension has also taken a toll on students’ mental health and academic focus. Attendance has dropped noticeably in some departments, and many students now prefer virtual or asynchronous learning options, where available. For many, even something as routine as walking to the faculty building now requires careful timing and coordination.

With each new incident, the fear grows – and so does the urgency for action.

At its core, the crisis facing ABSU is not just about crime; it is about a community losing faith in the systems meant to protect it. It is about students waking up each day unsure whether they will return home safely. It is about a university struggling to maintain not just academic excellence, but basic human security.

Until meaningful action is taken – from bolstered security patrols to effective infrastructure improvements on high-risk roads – the sense of danger will continue to fester. Students will remain on edge. And the institution’s integrity, as a place of learning and growth, will remain under threat. For now, as the sun sets over Uturu and darkness creeps in once more, one question echoes in the hearts of thousands of students: If we are not safe here in school, then where are we safe?