Abia State has recorded a major milestone in the nation’s Health Sector as SBM Intelligence, a reputable research and strategic communications consulting firm, named the State first in Nigeria in the 2025 Health Preparedness Index.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, announced the achievement on Monday , while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu attributed the State’s leading performance to the consistent investment being carried out in the Health Sector by the Governor Otti led administration, noting that it is the best in the country.
“Let me start today’s briefing by informing us that recently the State recorded a very significant milestone in the health sector.
“The SBM Intelligence, a research and strategic communications consulting firm, rated the state the first in terms of health preparedness index for emergency, or put in another way, emergency preparedness report for 2025 as the first.
“The report confirmed the reforms being carried out in the Health Sector by His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti as the best in the country.
“The essence of this disclosure is to underscore the impact of the Governor’s vision and interventions in the Health Sector, which, of course, has continued to yield positive results and impact across different health and human development indices”, the Commissioner added.
He said that Abia’s improved ranking derives from a robust per capita Health spend of N22,962 and the consistent allocation of 15 per cent of the State budget to Health since 2023 by the present administration
Prince Kanu further disclosed that the State now boasts of an impressive Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.674, surpassing the National average.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the functionalisation of renovated Primary Healthcare centres (PHCs) across the State was progressing well and would be completed before the end of the year.
He also disclosed that 119,438 Abia residents have enrolled in the State Health Insurance scheme, rising to 217,000 when combined with National enrolees and encouraged more Abians to enroll in order to enjoy unhindered Medical services.
Prince Kanu announced that no Abian or resident has died from diseases of Public Health importance in the first 47 weeks of 2025, adding that the State currently has no active cases of Cholera, M-pox, Yellow Fever, Diphtheria or Lassa fever.
The Commissioner also announced that the Abia Diaspora Medical Outreach 2025 would hold from 12 to 15 December, with preparations already at an advanced stage.
He said that Governor Otti will on Tuesday, 25th November, declare open the Abia–Turkey Investment Summit, scheduled to run till the 27th of November at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
According to him, the summit will highlight Abia’s vast investment potential and strengthen bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Turkey and added that exhibitions will cover Manufacturing, Agriculture, Textiles, Leather works, Energy, Infrastructure among other key sectors.
The Information Commissioner also disclosed that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has lined up events to enhance the State’s Festive atmosphere during the Christmas season with the Abia Comedy Fest, scheduled for 12 December 2025 in Umuahia, followed by the Abia State Christmas Carol on 20 December 2025.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the SBM rating was based on credible and globally recognised data sources, including the National Bureau of Statistics, WHO, National Demographic and Health Surveys, BudgIT, the Global Data Lab among others.
Prof Uche said Abia’s leap from the bottom ranks to first position marks a historic reversal
as it used to be the exclusive reserve of Lagos and Ogun States.
He explained that Abia’s HDI score of 0.674 reflects improvements in life expectancy, Education and per capita income,noting that the administration’s sustained 15 per cent budget dedication has strengthened the health system.
Prof Uche added that direct interventions like the Abia Free Medical Outreach have saved residents billions in healthcare costs, while ongoing PHC functionalisation would ensure sustainable, grassroots-level access to quality care.
