Abia State Government (ABSG) Unveils 25-Year Development Masterplan to Transform the State into a ₦30 Trillion Economy by 2050

In a historic stride toward long-term growth and sustainability, the Abia State Government has unveiled an ambitious 25-Year Development Plan designed to transform the state into a ₦30 trillion economy by the year 2050. The plan, built upon six strategic pillars, Growth, Stability, Governance Reform, Inclusive Development, Social Infrastructure, and Sustainable Economy, aims to entrench a governance framework that will outlive successive administrations and set Abia as a model for sustainable development in Nigeria.

The unveiling took place on Thursday at the “Citizens’ Review and Validation of the Abia State 25-Year Development Plan” held at the Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Umuahia. The event attracted a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including policymakers, traditional rulers, civil society groups, professionals, and private sector representatives, who converged to shape the blueprint for Abia’s future.

Speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, revealed that the 356-page document is divided into four distinct phases and incorporates provisions for citizens’ participation through a referendum. He emphasized that a comprehensive risk assessment had been conducted to guarantee its feasibility and long-term sustainability.

Mr. Anosike disclosed that the plan would be formally launched by Governor Alex Otti on November 28, 2025, signifying a new era of structured development and governance continuity in Abia State.

He further explained that the Development Plan was crafted to consolidate the rapid progress achieved under Governor Otti’s administration since 2023.

“Between 2023 and now, all of us are witnesses to the very transformative activities going on in the State. The State will continue to exist even after this administration. That is why the Governor assembled a team of professionals and development partners to produce the Abia State Development Plan, which will guide us up to 2050,” he stated.

According to Anosike, the new framework is a reviewed version of the previous administration’s 35-year plan, refined to align with present realities, global best practices, and Abia’s long-term vision for economic resilience. He further outlined that the plan’s six strategic pillars are: People and Resources, Growth and Stability, Sustainable Economy, Social Infrastructure and Inclusion, Governance and Reform, and Cross-Sector Linkages.

Highlighting the state’s financial progress, Anosike noted that Abia’s fiscal reforms have yielded unprecedented results. He said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) surged from its previous record of ₦18 billion in 2018 to over ₦50 billion as of June 2025, attributing the growth to leakages being blocked and the end of taxpayer harassment.

“Before 2024, the highest internally generated revenue (IGR) was ₦18 billion, recorded in 2018. This year alone, as of June, the State had already collected over ₦50 billion. This is because we blocked leakages and stopped the old practice of harassing taxpayers,” he said.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the state is committing ₦811 billion to infrastructure in the 2026 fiscal year, a move aimed at bridging developmental gaps, stimulating economic activities, and attracting both local and foreign investors.

“Today, Abia State is a ₦3.5 trillion GDP economy. In 25 years, this State would be a ₦30 trillion economy by God’s grace and by your support,” he declared confidently.

Anosike also emphasized the Otti-led administration’s ongoing commitment to Civil Service Reforms, Fiscal Transparency, and Governance Stability, noting that the era of politically motivated appointments in the civil service is over.

“Appointments as Permanent Secretaries are no longer based on political affiliation but on competence and performance,” he stressed.

On investment attraction, the Commissioner observed that global investors now visit Abia directly due to its improved business environment, marking a departure from past eras when governors had to travel abroad to court investors.

“The business of Government is to create an enabling environment for investment. Once that is done, the investment will come. Money is a very shy product; it goes where it is treated well, where there are good roads, hospitals, schools, and security,” he stated.

He further emphasized the importance of political stability and stakeholder collaboration in sustaining economic growth and achieving the long-term vision.

“Lagos has been able to grow consistently because of its 50-year development plan that every administration follows. If we must achieve our 2050 goals, we must ensure political continuity and partnership among all stakeholders,” Anosike added.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning, Dr. Eric Egwuibe, stated that the citizen engagement session was organized to ensure that every stakeholder had a voice in shaping the future of Abia.

“If you don’t have a plan, it makes it difficult for you to know what you are going to do. Today, we are presenting to you the look-ahead to Abia State in the next 25 years. At the end of the day, it becomes Abia State’s document and not the Government’s alone.

“We thank His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, for his passion and for ensuring that Abia ranks among the committee of states in Nigeria. As he always says, after working on Abia, other states will look like villages,” Dr. Egwuibe remarked.

Also speaking, the First Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Nelson Nmerengwa, described the initiative as a “bold and visionary step that looks beyond electoral cycles to the destiny of generations yet unborn.”

He pledged the support of traditional institutions in ensuring the plan’s successful implementation and sustainability.

“On behalf of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, we are not just participants, we are partners in building an Abia where tradition and progress walk hand in hand,” he affirmed.

The well-attended event also featured an interactive session that allowed contributions from professional bodies, religious leaders, civil society organizations, private sector players, and transport union representatives.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Lady Meg Onwu-Kalu, joined other senior officials of the ministry in attending the session, reaffirming the state government’s dedication to building a prosperous, inclusive, and forward-looking Abia.

The unveiling of the 25-Year Development Plan marks a pivotal moment in Abia’s journey toward a prosperous, stable, and self-sustaining future, a future anchored on vision, inclusivity, and strategic governance under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti.