Government House Press Calabar

C'River Among Top Three Winners at 3rd National Girls in ICT Competition

Cross River State has emerged as one of Nigeria's top-performing states at the Third National Girls in ICT Competition 2026, with Federal Government Girls' College (FGGC), Cross River, securing an impressive second-place finish among over 3,700 participants nationwide. The achievement has drawn commendation from Governor Bassey Otu, who described it as a powerful validation of the state's growing investment in education, innovation and digital excellence.

[6/6, 2:57 PM] Ghp Mr. Linus: C'River Among Top Three Winners at 3rd National Girls in ICT Competition

Cross River State has emerged as one of Nigeria's top-performing states at the Third National Girls in ICT Competition 2026, with Federal Government Girls' College (FGGC), Cross River, securing an impressive second-place finish among over 3,700 participants nationwide. The achievement has drawn commendation from Governor Bassey Otu, who described it as a powerful validation of the state's growing investment in education, innovation and digital excellence.

The national competition, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, showcased innovative projects developed by young female technologists from across the country. While Special Education Centre, Bauchi, emerged overall winner, FGGC Cross River clinched the runner-up position, ahead of Resonance Science School, Abia, which placed third.

Reacting to the feat, Governor Otu said the accomplishment represented a significant milestone not only for the students involved but also for Cross River State's broader ambition of positioning itself as a centre of technological innovation and educational excellence.

"This outstanding achievement by the brilliant students of Federal Government Girls' College, Cross River, is a moment of immense pride for our state. Their success confirms what we have always known—that Cross River is blessed with exceptionally gifted young minds capable of competing with the very best anywhere in the country," Governor Otu said.

"To emerge among the top three winners in a highly competitive national contest involving over 3,700 participants is no ordinary accomplishment. It reflects discipline, creativity, hard work and the quality of mentorship available to our young people. These girls have become worthy ambassadors of Cross River State and shining examples of what determination can achieve."

Governor Otu noted that the competition's focus on digital innovation, problem-solving and emerging technologies aligns perfectly with his administration's commitment to empowering young people with future-ready skills.

"We live in a world increasingly driven by technology and innovation. The future belongs to those who can create solutions, harness digital tools and transform ideas into impact. These young girls have demonstrated that Cross River is producing exactly the kind of innovators and leaders that Nigeria needs for the future."

The Governor also applauded First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her inspiring address to the finalists and participants. During the awards ceremony, the First Lady urged the girls to remain "curious, confident and courageous" and to continue using technology to solve societal problems and uplift communities.
Governor Otu described the message as both timely and inspiring.
"Her Excellency, the First Lady, delivered a profound message to these young innovators. Her call for them to remain curious, confident and courageous captures the very essence of innovation. Every breakthrough begins with curiosity. Every invention begins with a bold idea. Her words will undoubtedly inspire many more young girls to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation."

"I particularly commend her emphasis on using technology not merely for personal advancement but as a tool for uplifting communities and solving real-world challenges. That is the kind of leadership and vision that will shape a stronger Nigeria."

The Governor further aligned himself with Mrs. Tinubu's position that investments in youth empowerment, digital innovation and human-capital development remain central to national progress.
"The future of our nation depends on how effectively we nurture the talents of our young people today. When we empower young girls with digital skills, we are investing in stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger economy."

Governor Otu equally praised the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for his steadfast commitment to expanding digital opportunities across Nigeria. During the event, the Minister stressed that talent exists in every part of the country and warned that Nigeria's digital economy could not reach its full potential if girls and women were left behind.
The Governor said the success of FGGC Cross River was a practical demonstration of the Minister's assertion.

"Dr. Bosun Tijani is absolutely right when he says that talent exists across every part of Nigeria. The remarkable performance of these girls from Cross River is proof that brilliance knows no geographical boundaries. What young people need is opportunity, support and an enabling environment."
"His declaration that the future digital economy cannot be built by only half of Nigeria is a powerful reminder that inclusion must remain at the heart of our development efforts. Our daughters deserve equal opportunities to innovate, lead and succeed."

Governor Otu also welcomed the Federal Government's investments in initiatives such as Project BRIDGE, the Universal Service Provision Fund expansion, the Three Million Technical Talent Programme and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, describing them as transformative interventions capable of unlocking opportunities for millions of Nigerian youths.

The Governor further commended the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa'idu Ahmad, who described the programme as a direct investment in Nigeria's future workforce and challenged the girls to move beyond being users of technology to becoming creators and innovators.
"Professor Suwaiba Ahmad has correctly identified the challenge before us. Our young people must not be content with consuming technology developed elsewhere. They must become inventors, creators and innovators capable of developing solutions to local and global problems."

"The achievement of FGGC Cross River demonstrates that our girls are already answering that call. They are not waiting for the future; they are actively shaping it."

Governor Otu also welcomed the planned rollout of Code Club kits comprising Raspberry Pi computers, robotics kits and teacher-training resources to schools across the country, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the next generation of Nigerian innovators.

"Programmes such as the Code Clubs will help democratise access to technology and inspire thousands of young people to embrace coding, robotics and digital innovation. These are the skills that will define competitiveness in the twenty-first century."

The Governor assured that his administration would continue prioritising education, innovation and youth empowerment as critical pillars of sustainable development in Cross River State.
"On behalf of the Government and people of Cross River State, I congratulate the students, teachers, parents and management of Federal Government Girls' College, Cross River, for this remarkable national achievement. Their success belongs to all of us. We celebrate them today and look forward to even greater accomplishments in the years ahead."
The Third National Girls in ICT Competition featured innovative projects addressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, accessibility and education. The six national finalists each received cash prizes, high-performance laptops and mentorship packages designed to nurture the next generation of Nigerian technology leaders and innovators.

PICTURE CAPTION:
First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu (m) with winners of the 3rd Edition of the National Girls in ICT during the Award Dinner held at the State House Abuja on Friday 6th June 2026

Governor Bassey Otu was yesterday, June 5, 2026, appointed as the Patron of Relax Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria. The brief event took place at the Governors office Executive Council Chamber in Calabar.

*BUILDING A SKILLED AND COMPETITIVE GENERATION: THREE YEARS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS UNDER GOVERNOR OTU*

Under the leadership of Senator Prince Edet Otu, Cross River State has witnessed a comprehensive transformation of its education sector. Between 2023 and 2026, the administration implemented targeted, results-driven interventions that have improved access, quality, infrastructure and learning outcomes across basic, secondary and tertiary education. These efforts have strengthened teacher capacity, enhanced examination performance, expanded enrolment and positioned the state as a leader in human capital development.

A major priority of the Otu administration has been ensuring seamless examination processes and providing support for students. Through the Ministry of Education, the government sponsored the registration of 16,301 indigenous SS3 students for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and 14,804 students for the 2025 examination, significantly easing the financial burden on parents and guardians. This intervention contributed to an impressive 72.1 per cent pass rate, with students obtaining five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, in the 2024 examination.

The administration also introduced landmark reforms, including the full digitalisation of placement examinations, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and SSII Mock Examinations—the first of its kind in the state. The initiative enabled online registration and prompt release of results, thereby improving efficiency and transparency. In addition, backlog examination results from the 2022/2023 academic session were released, eliminating longstanding administrative bottlenecks.

Other notable achievements include the recovery of more than ₦20 million from illegal school levies and the generation of substantial internally generated revenue that exceeded government targets. The Ministry generated ₦220.9 million between September 2023 and November 2024 and a further ₦228.6 million between January and July 2025.

The Cross River State Senior Secondary Education Board significantly expanded access to education by increasing the number of public secondary schools from 276 in 2023 to 308 in 2026, representing a 12 per cent increase. The Board also paid WAEC examination fees for 43,694 students in 2026, recruited 200 science and technical teachers and promoted 4,066 teaching staff alongside 307 non-teaching personnel.

At the basic education level, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), recorded remarkable infrastructure development. Key interventions included the construction of 26 new classroom blocks comprising 94 classrooms and the rehabilitation of 13 classroom blocks containing 49 classrooms. The Board also supplied 9,000 plastic chairs and tables, alongside additional furniture for Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE), primary and junior secondary schools.

Furthermore, 28 six-compartment lavatories were constructed, 15 motorised boreholes installed and several model primary schools developed across the state. To improve educational delivery in underserved communities, 250 teachers were deployed to rural schools, while digital learning tools were distributed to 250 ECCDE and primary schools.

Teacher welfare and professional development also received significant attention. A total of 11,279 teaching staff and 479 non-teaching staff were promoted, while 1,666 teachers and 575 head teachers benefited from the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Programme. Advocacy campaigns and deworming exercises conducted across several local government areas contributed to improved school enrolment and better health outcomes among pupils.

The tertiary education sector equally experienced substantial growth. At the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), undergraduate enrolment increased from 3,812 students in the 2021/2022 academic session to 9,264 students in 2024/2025. Postgraduate enrolment rose from 262 to 444 students, while the number of fully accredited academic programmes increased from 36 to 48. These achievements were supported by the recruitment of 120 additional staff members and major infrastructure upgrades, including new lecture halls and improved power systems.

The University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, established under the current administration, has recorded significant progress through aggressive enrolment drives, modern infrastructure development, digital transformation initiatives and a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Similarly, the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Obubra, secured approval from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for 13 National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes and successfully commenced academic activities.

The state’s Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Calabar, Itigidi, Obudu and Ogoja also witnessed remarkable expansion. Admission quotas increased significantly, rising from 80 to 240 students in Calabar and from 75 to 150 students in Itigidi. New facilities include modern classrooms, laboratories, hostels, solar-powered systems, Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and entrepreneurship hubs. Full accreditation was secured for several programmes, while the College of Nursing Sciences, Itigidi, recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in the March 2026 Midwifery Examination.

The Teacher Continuous Training Institute (TCTI) played a pivotal role in strengthening educational quality through extensive capacity-building programmes. More than 3,016 primary school teachers were trained under Project Hope-Edu, while 750 secondary school teachers participated in specialised workshops. In addition, over 450 Mathematics and Science teachers, 780 primary school administrators and teachers, and 150 examination officers received training in smart skills, digital learning and CBT administration. These programmes emphasised STEM education, inclusive learning, digital literacy and modern teaching methodologies, resulting in improved student performance in core subjects.

Beyond academic development, the administration invested heavily in educational infrastructure, innovation and the creation of an enabling environment. Key achievements include the renovation and automation of the Ministry of Education headquarters, complete with solar power systems and CCTV surveillance. Public libraries across the state were upgraded through the remodelling of the Calabar library complex, renovation works in Ikom and Ogoja, the introduction of digital facilities and plans for mobile library services.

Cross River State also successfully hosted the 2024 Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) meeting, further reinforcing its growing reputation as a centre of educational excellence. Additional interventions included the procurement of safety equipment for teachers serving in riverine communities and support for student participation in national competitions. These efforts yielded commendable results, including third-place finishes in the Nestlé Milo Basketball Championship and the National Science, Technology and Innovation Exhibition.

Within three years, Senator Prince Edet Otu’s administration has successfully repositioned education as a cornerstone of Cross River State’s development agenda. The key outcomes of these reforms include expanded access to quality education at all levels, improved examination performance and certification rates, massive infrastructure development, accelerated digital transformation, strengthened teacher capacity and motivation, increased enrolment, enhanced institutional accreditation and improved revenue generation.

The administration has also strengthened the alignment between education and economic development through a deliberate focus on entrepreneurship, STEM education and technical skills acquisition.

By addressing longstanding challenges relating to funding, infrastructure, quality and access, Governor Otu has laid a solid foundation for a more educated, skilled and competitive population. The gains of this educational transformation—from improved WAEC performance and the establishment of new universities to the modernisation of nursing colleges and digital library services—are already yielding tangible benefits and will continue to drive sustainable socio-economic development across the state.

Senator Prince Edet Otu’s leadership has not only restored confidence in the education sector but has also established a model of purposeful investment in human capital development that future administrations can build upon.

Governor Bassey Otu will be hosting world Investors in November at the AfSNET Conference 2026.

The team from Afrexim Bank were in Calabar for inspection and the score were fantastic.

*What You Need to know*

The 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference will take place in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

The conference will be Co-hosted by Afreximbank and the Cross River State Government in November 2026.
The event aims to drive intra-African trade and connect local, investment-ready projects with continental investors.

Key details include:
Host Location:
Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Event Organizers:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Cross River State Government.

Focus Areas:
Showcasing bankable sub-sovereign projects, accelerating intra-African trade, and empowering local/municipal governments to participate in the AfCFTA.