Cross River Invests N265bn in Education as Government Unveils Three-Year Scorecard By Okwo romeon

Abuja – The Cross River State Government has disclosed that it invested more than ₦265 billion in the education sector between 2024 and 2026, as part of efforts to improve learning outcomes, expand access to quality education and strengthen institutional capacity across the state.

Prof.Stephen Odey. Cross river state Commissioner for Education and social development.

The Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, made the disclosure on Friday while presenting the education sector component of Governor Bassey Otu's three-year scorecard at a town hall meeting held in Abuja.

Addressing government officials, political leaders, stakeholders and Cross River indigenes resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Odey said the administration had prioritised education as a critical pillar of socio-economic development, resulting in significant investments in infrastructure, teacher development, examination support and digital learning.

According to him, the state successfully accessed more than ₦17 billion in intervention funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) between 2023 and 2025 after meeting counterpart funding obligations.

He said the funds were utilised for the execution of 229 projects across the state, including the construction and rehabilitation of classroom blocks, provision of boreholes and the supply of more than 23,000 pieces of customised school furniture.

Governor of Cross river state, Senator Bassey Otu and other dignitaries at the event.

Odey also highlighted the remodelling and digitalisation of the State Library Complex, describing the facility as a major boost to research, innovation and academic excellence. The project was commissioned by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

In a move aimed at reducing financial barriers to education, the commissioner said the state had continued to fund registration fees for indigenous students sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in public secondary schools.

He disclosed that 43,694 students benefited from the initiative between 2023 and 2026 at a cost exceeding ₦1.1 billion.

"The intervention has not only eased the burden on parents and guardians but has also contributed to improved performance in external examinations," he said, noting that the state had recorded stronger results in both WAEC and NECO examinations during the period under review.

The commissioner further cited the establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa as one of the administration's landmark achievements. According to him, the institution has secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission and commenced academic activities.

On workforce development, Odey said more than 14,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel had been promoted, while additional teachers were recruited and trained to improve the quality of teaching and learning across the state.

Prof Odey exchanging pleasantries with guests at occasions.

He added that the government had strengthened quality assurance mechanisms, digitised examination processes, conducted annual school census exercises and facilitated bursary payments through the State Scholarship Board.

The enactment of the Senior Secondary Education Board Law, 2026, he said, would enable the state to access intervention funds from the National Senior Secondary Education Commission and further expand educational opportunities.

Odey attributed the achievements to the support of Governor Otu, whose administration, he said, had consistently placed education at the centre of its development agenda.

"The progress recorded over the past three years reflects a deliberate commitment to building a knowledge-based society and preparing young people for future opportunities in an increasingly competitive world," he said.

The town hall meeting also featured presentations on achievements recorded across other sectors of the state's economy as part of activities marking the administration's third anniversary in office.

Members of Cross river state cabinet at the event in Abuja.

those in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem; Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong; members of the National Assembly, commissioners, political appointees and representatives of Cross River communities resident in Abuja.