Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pledged government support for Master Michael Offorkaile, an Abia born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, placing fifth among the country's highest scorers.

Otti received Offorkaile, his parents, and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State, at the Government House on Monday, congratulating the teenager and affirming that the state does not take such academic excellence for granted.

The governor directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, to work out the specifics of the support package, and instructed the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Dodoh Okafor, to liaise with the family on follow up arrangements.

Otti told Offorkaile that the recognition was part of a broader commitment to celebrating merit across all sectors.

"We don't take this for granted. The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well. As a government founded on meritocracy, we will not stop celebrating people who do well," he said.

The governor added: "We also want this to be an encouragement to him because the journey has just started. Having been celebrated for coming first, we expect you to do even better as you go to the university. And as a state, we will support you."

Prof. Uche told the gathering that Otti had personally directed her to locate Offorkaile and bring him to the state for formal recognition.

The school principal, Mr Ige Bello, and Offorkaile's father, Mr Odinaka Offorkaile, from Umunneochi Local Government Area, both said the result came as no surprise given the student's consistent academic record. They commended the governor for honouring the achievement and for his broader commitment to education in Abia State.

Offorkaile thanked the governor for the recognition and pledged to sustain his academic performance.

"I will try my best to keep performing, keep inspiring, and keep encouraging students from Abia and Nigeria," he stated.