…Urges technology-driven reforms, greater accountability to drive sustainable development
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called on public sector leaders, political office holders and other influential stakeholders to embrace purposeful leadership, institutional reforms and technological innovation to accelerate economic growth, improve public service delivery and promote sustainable development.
Otti made the call on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, while delivering the public sector keynote address, titled “Putting Our Best Foot Forward,” at the 2026 Oxford Global Think Tank (OGTTI) Leadership Conference held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The conference, themed “Leadership for a Prosperous Future,” brought together political leaders, policy experts, business executives and other stakeholders to examine the role of leadership in driving Africa’s development.
The governor stressed that development does not happen by accident but requires deliberate planning, effective implementation and sustained partnerships.
“Development has never been accidental; it is the primary function of leadership — the result of deliberate planning, dynamic execution and the cultivation of long-term partnerships that expand the frontiers of opportunities for sustained prosperity,” he said.
Otti maintained that leadership should be measured by its ability to create opportunities, stimulate productivity, strengthen institutions and improve citizens’ living conditions rather than protect personal interests.
He identified corruption, institutional decay, poor policy implementation, inadequate skills and persistent infrastructure deficits as interconnected challenges requiring fundamental reforms in public sector governance.
According to him, political and economic leaders must demonstrate accountability, make informed decisions and possess the courage to implement necessary reforms, even when such decisions are difficult or unpopular.
The governor warned that failure to create an environment that rewards productivity and enterprise affects not only government but also businesses, households and the wider society.
He noted that efficient public utilities would ease the burden on individuals and businesses forced to provide essential services for themselves.
Otti also called for greater citizen participation in democratic governance, urging Nigerians, particularly young and educated citizens, to take an active interest in elections, demand accountability and contribute to decisions affecting their communities.
Highlighting his administration’s reform initiatives in Abia State, the governor said his government was repositioning public institutions through technology, innovation and improved management systems.
He cited the transition towards smart schools, investments in renewable energy for public institutions, the procurement of electric buses for inter- and intra-city transportation, as well as the digitisation of land administration and official document processing as examples of efforts to modernise public service delivery.
He acknowledged that reforms often attract resistance but assured that his administration remained committed to changes designed to improve efficiency, strengthen institutions and deliver better services.
The governor further challenged participants to explore how artificial intelligence could be deployed to tackle corruption, improve civil service training and operational efficiency, strengthen public revenue management and restore citizens’ confidence in government institutions.
Describing the conference as an opportunity to reassess development priorities, Otti urged participants to identify practical ways of applying emerging technologies and innovative ideas to address governance challenges across Africa.
“We may have derailed, but the advantage of conferences like this is the platform it provides for the reassessment of priorities and the opportunity to turn a new leaf. Our assignment at the end of today’s event is to return home, chew on what we have learnt and identify how technology can help us in our roles as elders in the African community square setting,” he said.
He added that the success of the conference would depend on how participants translated the knowledge acquired into practical actions.
The governor commended the founder and convener of the conference, Professor Arunma Oteh, and other organisers for bringing together leaders, policy experts and stakeholders to examine the relationship between leadership, institutional performance and sustainable development.
“I am particularly impressed with the focus on leadership, for that is at the heart of our frustrations,” he said.
Otti urged participants to ensure that the knowledge gained translated into tangible reforms and measurable improvements in people’s lives.
He also emphasised that individual achievements, however remarkable, could not compensate for collective failure, calling on Nigerians to work together to overcome poverty, strengthen public institutions and unlock the country’s development potential.
The keynote address at the conference was delivered by the immediate past President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
Discussions at the event focused largely on unlocking Africa’s prosperity through artificial intelligence, while the programme also featured the launch of the OGTTI AI Virtue Center.
Other highlights included panel discussions featuring the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II; founder of ANAP Foundation, Atedo Peterside; Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman; Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre and coordinating institution of the Nigerian AI Collective, Dr Osasuyi Dirisu; former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Dr Armstrong Ume Takang; and Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, among other prominent personalities.
Several panellists also referenced the ongoing transformation in Abia State under Otti’s administration while discussing the importance of purposeful leadership in public sector governance and sustainable development.
