Governor Alex Otti Presents 2026 “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities” to Abia Assembly

Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Abia State House of Assembly, describing the new fiscal plan as a bold step toward accelerating development and unlocking new possibilities for the state.

Addressing the lawmakers in Umuahia, the Governor expressed profound gratitude to the Assembly for its cooperation over the past two and a half years. He also thanked Abians at home and in the diaspora for their unwavering support, noting that leadership in a democracy is an honour bestowed by the people in pursuit of collective freedom and progress.

Governor Otti stated that the presentation was not only to lay out the expenditure framework for 2026 but also to strengthen the democratic culture of accountability. He emphasized that budget presentations provide an essential opportunity for stocktaking evaluating achievements, measuring impact, and charting new development targets.

According to him, the motivation behind his governance agenda remains the creation of systems and structures that enable citizens to thrive by removing barriers and unleashing Abia’s full potential.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Abia into the number-one state in Nigeria across key development indicators. He acknowledged that although the journey was far from complete, the state had recorded significant progress due to the Assembly’s support and bipartisan cooperation. He highlighted improvements in investment attraction, safety, and general well-being.

Reviewing the 2025 fiscal year, Governor Otti recalled that his administration presented a budget of ₦750.28 billion, with 82% allocated to capital expenditure. He reported that the government had faithfully implemented the budget, keeping expenditures within the limits approved by the Assembly despite unforeseen developments that required supplementary appropriations. He commended the Assembly for ensuring feasibility and ensuring proper project spread during the initial approval process.

The Governor highlighted major achievements across different sectors over the past 11 months. He noted that Abia remains one of the safest states in Nigeria as a result of expanded security investments. He added that residents can now travel across the state at any hour without fear, crediting security agencies for their diligence and courage.

Road infrastructure development, he said, has remained central to his administration. In 30 months, over 600 kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated across all 17 LGAs. Landmark projects such as Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road, and several strategic roads within the Aba metropolitan axis have been completed. Other major roads, including Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Abariba, the Arochukwu–Ozuabam Road, Umuopara Ring Road, Ntigha–Mbawsi–Umuala Road, and numerous others, have recorded impressive progress. Otti gave special recognition to the Ministry of Works engineering corps whose expanded role has saved the state billions while delivering quality outcomes.

On healthcare, the Governor recalled that 15% of the 2025 budget was dedicated to the sector. He announced that about 200 primary healthcare centres had been rebuilt or equipped, key general hospitals restored, and specialist hospitals expanded to provide advanced services in intensive care, diagnostics, and chronic disease treatment. He disclosed that over 120,000 residents have enrolled in the state health insurance scheme and that Abia was recently ranked the most prepared state for health emergency response in Nigeria.

Education, described as the state’s “biggest industry,” also received massive attention. Otti highlighted the recruitment of more than 5,000 teachers and an ongoing process to engage 4,000 more. Over 100 public schools have been remodeled, and smart learning integrated into classrooms. Enrolment in basic education has doubled in nine months following the introduction of free and compulsory basic education, while tertiary institutions have received structural and financial support.

The Governor reported major strides in agriculture, including the creation of a digital database of farmers and state-owned farmlands, as well as targeted support to over 2,000 smallholder farmers. He also announced significant movement toward energy independence with the passage of the Abia State Electricity Law, establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA), and the state’s acquisition of electricity distribution assets beyond the Aba ring-fence.

According to Governor Otti, Abia’s cities are now among the cleanest in Nigeria, civil service productivity has improved, pensioners now receive regular payments, and the state’s youth empowerment strategy has shifted from temporary handouts to sustainable skills development through ICT, sports, leadership, and entrepreneurship training.

Despite the notable gains, he acknowledged that some budgetary provisions for 2025 were not fully implemented due to unmet projections and unavoidable contingencies. He assured that the administration would continue to refine its governance approach and would publish a full 2025 budget performance report at the end of the quarter.

Presenting the 2026 fiscal plan, Governor Otti announced a proposed budget size of ₦1.016 trillion, tagged the “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities.” The proposal represents a 13% increase from 2025 and is designed to drive rapid socioeconomic growth through massive investments in infrastructure, social services, and security.

The Governor proposed that 80% of the budget (₦811.8 billion) be dedicated to capital expenditure, representing a 32% increase from 2025. Recurrent expenditure is projected at ₦204.4 billion, a 33% rise from last year, to support essential government operations.

He emphasized that the 2026 budget reflects the ambition to consolidate existing achievements while expanding Abia’s developmental footprint. The Governor concluded by urging the Assembly to give the budget timely and favourable consideration for the benefit of all Abians.