In less than three years, Abia State was moved from the margins of national conversations to the very centre. The reason is simple: results. The recently released “BudgIT 2026 State of States Report”, placed Abia among Nigeria’s top-performing states across fiscal performance, health, education, infrastructure, and governance. The numbers are not just impressive. They are historic.
BudgIT’s data shows Abia leading on the metrics that matter most to development: Earlier in the year, a separate BudgIT analysis ranked Abia number one in Nigeria for capital expenditure per resident, with ₦137,253 spent per person on infrastructure and development projects. That means more roads, more hospitals, more schools, and more jobs— per Abian. The wins didn’t stop at spreadsheets.
A few months ago, Abia emerged as the best-performing state in the South-east zone and clinched $500,000 USD at the 2025 Nigeria Governors’ Forum Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge. That prize is a direct reward for visible improvements in primary healthcare delivery, immunisation coverage, and facility upgrades across the 17 LGAs. None of this happened by accident. At the heart of Abia’s turnaround is the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR. His pedigree matters.
As a renowned economist, former group managing director of a bank, and one of Nigeria’s most respected financial minds, Governor Otti came into office with a clear understanding of two things: how money works, and how to make it work for people. His vision has been consistent from day one: “A New Abia” — a state where government is efficient, transparent, and delivers tangible value to citizens.
By blocking leakages, prioritising IGR, and aligning expenditure with impact, Abia moved from borrowing to build, to building from earnings. The result: top rankings in expenditure growth and revenue growth. Capital projects were no longer abandoned. Personnel were paid on time.