The Abia State Executive Council has inaugurated a five-member Special Investigative Committee to examine allegations of harassment and extortion involving lecturers and students at Abia State University, Uturu.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

According to Kanu, the committee was constituted to uphold high academic and ethical standards within the state-owned university.

He explained that the committee would be chaired by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, while the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dodoh Okafor, would serve as secretary.

Other members of the panel include Chinedu Ekeke, Idowu Eluwa, and Lawrence Idemudua.

Kanu stated that the panel would investigate and identify those responsible for the alleged misconduct and make recommendations to the university’s Visitor.

He added that the committee would also examine bribery allegations against a lecturer, as well as claims that the same lecturer was involved in certificate forgery.

The panel is equally expected to review how far the recommendations contained in the white paper from the university’s 2024 investigation panel have been implemented and identify any existing gaps.

In addition, the committee will look into any other issues connected to the ongoing efforts to reposition Abia State University as a centre of academic excellence and quality research.

Kanu noted that the committee would work closely with the university’s governing council throughout the investigation process.

The commissioner also announced the commencement of the 2026 Annual School Census across the state. According to him, the exercise officially began on Monday and is intended to generate accurate data for planning and educational policy development.

He explained that the census would support the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in policy formulation and improve access to the Hope Education Intervention Grant.

Kanu further revealed that the exercise would cover schools across the three senatorial zones of the state and would run for one month.

He also disclosed that the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education had established 140 learning centres statewide to provide educational opportunities for adults and individuals who missed out on formal schooling.

In addition, the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board recently conducted training and capacity-building programmes for 265 headteachers and 306 Early Childhood Care Development teachers as part of the government’s ongoing education reforms.

The latest developments come amid continued efforts by the administration of Governor Alex Otti to revamp public schools and tertiary institutions across the state.