The Abia State Government has taken a decisive step to strengthen the safety of its educational institutions with the inauguration of a State Safe School Steering Committee.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held in Umuahia. He said the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to protect lives and property, particularly in response to rising security concerns affecting schools across the country.
According to Mr Kanu, the committee will function as a multi-sectoral strategic platform responsible for coordinating the state-level implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. This includes the development, monitoring, and enforcement of safety and protection protocols across all schools in Abia State.

“This is in response to the growing need to safeguard educational institutions in the state, following emerging security concerns around the country,” he said.
In addition, the commissioner announced the statewide resumption of schools for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session. He noted that education officers overseeing basic and secondary education have been mandated to monitor compliance and ensure that all public schools reopened as scheduled.

Mr Kanu also provided updates on the state’s smart school initiative, revealing that significant progress has been made in infrastructure development, equipment installation, and teacher training. He added that two smart schools are expected to be inaugurated in February, following substantial completion of ongoing work.

The latest developments underscore the Otti administration’s commitment to creating a safe, modern, and technology-driven learning environment for students across Abia State.