Abia’s Governance Reforms Yield Results As State Climbs National Performance Ranking

Governor Alex Otti says Abia State has made measurable gains in governance, public service delivery, healthcare, infrastructure, and others sectors citing the state’s dramatic rise in the latest Phillips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI) as evidence of the impact of his administration’s reforms.

According to the 2025 edition of the pSPI, released in 2026, Abia ranked 10th among Nigeria’s 36 states, marking the most significant improvement recorded by any state in the assessment.

The report showed that Abia climbed 26 places from 36th position in the recent rankings, reflecting notable progress across key governance indicators, including fiscal management, service delivery, economic performance and institutional effectiveness.

Speaking during the July edition of his monthly media parley tagged “Governor Otti Speaks”, in Umuahia, the governor said that the state’s improved ranking reflects the impact of reforms implemented by his administration since his assumption of office.

According to the Governor, Abia moved from the bottom of the national ranking shortly after his administration assumed office to 10th position in the latest State Performance Index.

He noted that although independent assessments were important, the ultimate measure of government performance remains the impact of policies on citizens.

“I am happy to report that we have improved in the 2026 State Performance Index.

“The most important thing to me is the citizens’ report. How does a citizen of Abia rate the state? That is the most important thing. You can do everything, but if the impact is not felt by the citizens, then you have done nothing”, Governor Otti said.

The governor further cited changing public attitudes towards environmental sanitation as evidence that government reforms were beginning to reshape behaviour across the state.

He therefore urged residents to sustain the culture of cleanliness, stressing that environmental sanitation remains a shared responsibility.

Governor Otti also disclosed that work was progressing on the state’s digital mapping programme, stressing that it as a strategic project that would support urban planning, land administration, infrastructure development and investment.

The governor said his administration has continued to record progress across critical sectors, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, security, transportation, science, technology, innovation, arts and culture.

He disclosed that work is ongoing on the development of the state’s tourism assets, including the Arochukwu Waterfalls project, Ojukwu Bunker among other tourist sites in the State and expressed optimism that the facilities would boost tourism and economic activities upon completion.

On healthcare, Governor Otti said Abia has significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality, and described the achievement as one of the state’s greatest successes.

He disclosed that by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the state recorded the lowest maternal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria, while enrolment into the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme has continued to rise.

According to him, the government has functionalised 144 of the 200 primary healthcare centres across the state, while an additional 77 facilities supported through intervention programmes have also been equipped.

He noted that the facilities were now adequately staffed and equipped with modern medical equipment, adding that rehabilitation of general and cottage hospitals across the state is progressing steadily, while the Cottage Hospital in Ugwunagbo has already commenced medical services.

On transportation, Governor Otti announced that another batch of 20 electric buses would soon arrive in the state to expand the government’s mass transit programme.

He said the buses would serve routes linking Umuahia with Aba, Ohafia, Bende, Abia State University, Uturu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, and other major destinations.

Governor Otti disclosed that the new buses would be fitted with electronic surveillance systems to monitor compliance with approved routes and improve operational efficiency.

The governor explained that the monitoring system became necessary after some drivers allegedly abandoned designated routes and added that two erring drivers of the state’s electric mass transit scheme had already been disengaged for violating operational guidelines.

He appealed to residents to protect government assets by reporting any misuse, insisting that public infrastructure belongs to the people.
“This bus belongs to you. It must be protected”, he said.

Governor Otti commended security agencies for maintaining peace across the state, noting that security remains a critical foundation for economic development and investment.

He assured residents that his administration would continue implementing policies aimed at improving service delivery and enhancing economic development across the state.

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