On Thursday, May 21, 2025, thousands of enthusiastic Abians gathered at Umuagbai Secondary School along Port Harcourt Road for a celebration tagged “The Promise Kept Carnival.” The event marked a milestone—the reconstruction of the critical Port Harcourt Road, which had been in ruins for over 30 years. The crowd was so immense that security personnel struggled to manage the enthusiastic turnout as Governor Alex Otti arrived at the venue.
This overwhelming public reception mirrors scenes across the state. On April 19, 2025, a similar crowd welcomed the Governor to the 2025 Ekpaniboro Festival in Atan Abam. Again, on May 1st, workers at the Umuahia Township Stadium turned out en masse to celebrate May Day with the Governor.
Whether in the remote community of Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA, the oil-rich town of Owaza in Ukwa East, Atani village in Arochukwu, or urban centers like Umuahia and Aba, the reception remains the same—Abians are grateful and energized by a Governor they now proudly call “the Action Governor.”
In just two years—barely halfway through his first term—Governor Alex Chioma Otti has triggered monumental changes that many now refer to as “The Abia Miracle.” But to appreciate the transformation, one must first reflect on the condition of Abia prior to May 29, 2023.
A State in Ruins
Before Governor Otti took office, Abia was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s least developed states. Under the administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (2015–2023), the state’s infrastructure, economy, and public service architecture had deteriorated drastically.
Heaps of waste littered Umuahia and Aba. Roads were impassable. Power supply was erratic. Public schools and health facilities were dilapidated. The civil service was riddled with corruption, absenteeism, and inefficiency. Workers and pensioners were owed several months of salary arrears. Government buildings were crumbling, and the public debt burden was staggering—over ₦92 billion owed to banks, contractors, workers, and pensioners.
When Governor Otti assumed office, many government offices were shuttered due to an ongoing industrial action by organized labor. It was a state in near-total collapse—akin to the scene in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, where Okonkwo inherited a legacy of poverty and debt from his improvident father, Unoka.
Governor Otti and the Abia Miracle
Gov Otti’s Transformational 2 Years & Abia’s Miraculous Bounce Back
Against this grim backdrop, Governor Otti’s swift and strategic reforms have brought about what many call a miracle. Roads are being rebuilt—Okpara Square to Express Tower, Ngwa Road in Aba, and numerous others. Clean streets, smart schools, revamped hospitals, and upgraded government facilities now reflect a new era of governance.
But this “miracle” is not magic. It is the product of sound economic planning, strong political will, and an unyielding commitment to service.
Building a New Governance System
The “New Abia” is powered by a reformed governance structure built on:
Merit-Based Appointments: Professionals with proven track records have been appointed to key positions, regardless of gender, class, or ethnicity.
Rule of Law: Governance is now driven by due process, legality, and institutional integrity.
Leadership by Example: Governor Otti leads from the front, setting high standards of discipline, hard work, and transparency. Public workers are now paid regularly—on the 28th of every month, as promised during the campaign.
Empathy for the Vulnerable: His administration has implemented free healthcare programs, settled salary and pension arrears, and expanded access to education through empowerment initiatives.
MDA Reform: Ministries have been restructured for efficiency, many now implementing projects via direct labor at minimal cost.
Fiscal Discipline: Strict adherence to budgetary provisions ensures that public funds are properly utilized. Payment cycles are transparent, with the Accountant-General mandated to release funds within 72 hours of approval.
Strategic Partnerships: The Governor has tapped into both local and international networks to attract investments and support. Structural platforms such as the Transition Council, Global Economic Council, and Security Trust Fund have enhanced coordination.
A Culture of Hard Work
Gov Otti And His Team At The Monthly Expanded Exco Meeting
Governor Otti’s legendary work ethic has redefined leadership in Abia. He is known to sleep less than four hours a night, constantly pushing the machinery of government forward. His relentless drive has inspired his team and established a governance tempo that ensures projects are delivered promptly and efficiently.
Restoring Trust Through Accountability
Public funds are no longer siphoned off. The Due Process Office ensures value-for-money in all procurements, and the culture of stealing from state coffers has been decisively dismantled. The result? Investors and development partners now see Abia as a credible destination for business.
Inclusive Governance
Governor Otti’s administration reflects inclusivity across all zones, communities, and gender lines. For the first time, women hold critical roles in government, and no part of the state feels marginalized.
A New Abia Has Emerged
Gov. Otti Signing 18 Bills Into Law
The “Abia Miracle” is not a fluke—it is the result of deliberate policies, disciplined execution, and people-centered governance. Governor Otti’s administration has reawakened hope, restored pride, and repositioned Abia as a model of transformation.
In just two years, Abia has not only bounced back from the brink—it is charting a bold new path toward prosperity. The once-forgotten state is now a shining example of what visionary leadership can achieve. Indeed, the New Abia is here to stay.
In fact, under Governor Alex Otti’s administration, women have assumed key leadership roles across several vital state institutions. Offices such as the Accountant-General of the State; Chairpersons of the Civil Service Commission and the Primary Education Board; Commissioners in the Ministries of Tertiary Education and Poverty Alleviation; Director-General of the State Orientation Agency; Chairman of the Hospitals Management Board; and the Chief Medical Director of Abia Specialist Hospital, Aba, are all led by women. Additionally, women hold approximately 75% of the Permanent Secretary positions in Abia State.
Governor Otti’s commitment to inclusive governance is further demonstrated by the consistency of weekly State Executive Council meetings and monthly Expanded Executive Council meetings. These gatherings ensure collective decision-making and promote accountability among top government officials, allowing challenges to be identified and resolved collaboratively with set timelines for execution.
Timely Payment of Workers’ Salaries
In keeping with the biblical principle, “A worker deserves his wage,” Governor Otti pledged during his May 29, 2023 inauguration that salaries would be paid on or before the 28th of each month. This pledge has been faithfully upheld. Prior to his administration, salary payments were irregular and arbitrary. Today, in addition to prompt salary disbursements, all entitlements and allowances due to Abia workers are consistently honored. This has greatly improved staff morale and productivity, reinforcing a hallmark of good governance.
Recovery of Government Assets
A responsible administration ensures the protection and recovery of public assets. Governor Otti has demonstrated unwavering commitment in this regard by establishing a State Panel on the Recovery of Government Funds and Assets, chaired by Justice Mrs. Duruoha (Rtd). In 2024, he also commissioned a Visitation Panel for Abia State University. These efforts are aimed at curbing corruption and restoring accountability in public institutions.
Repositioning the Civil Service
Governor Otti has reinvigorated the Abia State Civil Service by:
Promoting merit-based recruitment, promotion, and disciplinary measures.
Renovating and upgrading government staff quarters and public infrastructure.
Combating ghost workers, absenteeism, and workplace truancy.
These reforms have transformed the Abia workforce into a more efficient and professional service, significantly improving government service delivery.
To fast-track service delivery and reduce costs, Governor Otti introduced the use of direct labour in key ministries like Works, Lands and Housing, and the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA). This approach leverages in-house professionals, enhancing their capacities while saving public funds.
As Commissioner Chaka Chukwumerije aptly stated during the re-opening of the Old Secretariat Complex in November 2024, this approach “deepens the capacity of the State’s Structural Engineers, Builders, Architects and Quantity Surveyors, while saving resources and delivering quality.”
