The Abia State Government has highlighted what it described as major achievements of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, citing infrastructure development, education, healthcare, civil service reforms and improved internally generated revenue as evidence of progress since May 2023.
In a statement issued on October 1, 2026, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said the administration inherited significant financial liabilities and deteriorated public infrastructure but had recorded measurable changes across several sectors.
According to the statement, the government has completed 414 road projects covering 864.12 kilometres across the state’s 17 local government areas, while another 82 roads covering 212 kilometres are under construction.
The administration also said more than 10,000 solar streetlights had been installed across the state, alongside major road projects in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of Abia.
On education, the government said it had introduced free and compulsory basic education, resulting in more than 300,000 additional enrolments in public schools. It also claimed that 5,394 teachers were recruited in 2025, with another 4,075 recruited in August 2026.
The statement further highlighted the construction and rehabilitation of schools, restoration of accreditation in some tertiary institutions and the development of smart schools across the state.
In the health sector, the administration said 277 healthcare facilities had been retrofitted, with more than 150 functionalised under various government and partner initiatives. It also reported the recruitment of 821 health professionals, with 771 already in service, and said more than 270,000 residents had enrolled in the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme.
The government also pointed to the Abia Green Shuttle electric bus initiative as part of its transport reforms. It said more than 386,000 passengers had used the service as of May 2026, with 40 electric buses currently in the fleet and additional buses expected before the end of the year.
On civil service and pension reforms, the statement said the administration inherited N191.2 billion in liabilities, including more than N10 billion in pension arrears. It claimed that over N40 billion had subsequently been spent clearing salary and pension arrears, while salaries and pensions are now paid on or before the 28th of every month.
The government also disclosed a verified gratuity liability of N61.8 billion and said payments to retirees covering the 2001–2010 period commenced in August 2026.
On public finance, the administration said Abia’s debt had fallen from N191 billion in 2023 to below N50–60 billion by the end of 2025, while internally generated revenue increased from N14.67 billion in 2022 to N66.86 billion in 2025.
The statement attributed the revenue figures and fiscal rankings to external assessments, including BudgIT and the Phillips Consulting State Performance Index.
The administration also cited land reforms, saying more than 5,047 Certificates of Occupancy had been signed by Governor Otti, alongside the digitisation of more than four million land documents.
Ukoha said the reforms were driven by what Governor Otti describes as the “New Abia Formula,” centred on reducing waste, plugging leakages and directing public funds towards projects and services that directly affect residents.
“Governor Alex Otti has not performed magic. He applied what he calls the New Abia Formula: Apply every kobo to the direct problem of the people, cut waste, plug leakages, and return sovereignty to the people,” the statement said.
The government acknowledged that challenges remained, but argued that the changes recorded since 2023 represented a significant departure from the conditions it said existed before the administration assumed office.
“Abia is not yet Uhuru, but Abia is no longer the same. The foundation is laid. The momentum must be sustained,” Ukoha said.
