“You Are Certainly the Best Among All Those Who Have Governed the State” — RMAFC Chairman Tells Gov. Otti, Hails His Prudent Management of Abia Resources, Says Abia Is “Blessed” to Have Him

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for what he described as prudent management and effective utilisation of Abia State’s resources, saying the transformation recorded across critical sectors provides evidence of responsible governance.

Dr. Shehu made the commendation on Tuesday, September 16, 2026, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at his Nvosi country home in Isialangwa South Local Government Area of the State.

The RMAFC Chairman visited the Governor in company of commissioners and other members of his delegation, using the occasion to assess the State’s development trajectory and engage the Governor on issues surrounding revenue mobilisation, fiscal management and resource allocation.

Dr. Shehu noted that Abians were fortunate to have Governor Otti at the helm of affairs, pointing to the administration’s investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and fiscal management as evidence of the prudent deployment of public resources.

He particularly highlighted the administration’s extensive investment in road infrastructure, noting that the construction and rehabilitation of more than 400 roads, alongside bridges and other critical infrastructure, had made a significant impact on the State.

According to him, the scale of road development under the present administration demonstrates the extent to which available resources are being channelled into projects capable of directly improving the lives and economic activities of citizens.

The RMAFC Chairman also commended the administration’s interventions in the education sector, especially the recruitment of thousands of teachers as well as the completed and ongoing renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of schools across Abia.

“I am so glad that today, I am able to make it, to see you here, and to see all the developmental strides that you have taken and are still undertaking since you assumed office as the Executive Governor of this State.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to say that this State is blessed to have you as Governor. Every independent analyst will testify that this is one of the best governed States in Nigeria. And you are certainly the best among all those who have governed the State,” Dr. Shehu stated.

He further acknowledged the administration’s progress in primary healthcare, fiscal transparency and security, maintaining that the State’s improved fiscal performance, alongside the peaceful environment being experienced, points to a system of governance focused on responsible management of public resources.

The RMAFC Chairman also drew attention to Abia’s improvement in fiscal transparency, noting the State’s movement from 17th position to 4th position as a significant development.

He equally identified the reduction in the State’s debt profile as another important achievement, stressing that the development reflects more effective management of statutory allocations and other resources accruing to the State.

Beyond the State’s current fiscal performance, Dr. Shehu disclosed that RMAFC itself was undergoing reforms designed to strengthen revenue monitoring, deepen digitalisation and provide the Commission with improved real-time access to revenue information from revenue-generating agencies.

He said the reforms were aimed at making the revenue mobilisation and monitoring process more efficient, transparent and responsive to the realities of Nigeria’s evolving economy.

The RMAFC Chairman also disclosed that the Commission was working on a new revenue allocation formula to replace the existing arrangement, which has operated for decades.

According to him, the review has become necessary because of the changing responsibilities of the three tiers of government and the increasing responsibilities now being shouldered by State governments.

He specifically pointed to areas such as transportation infrastructure and other sectors where States are increasingly taking on responsibilities that were previously dominated by the Federal Government.

On the Natural Resources Development Fund, Dr. Shehu said steps were being taken to ensure that funds meant for development are recovered and appropriately utilised for their intended purposes.

He also expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for providing land for the construction of RMAFC’s permanent office in Abia State, assuring that the facility, when completed, would conform to the Commission’s standard for its offices across the country.

Responding, Governor Otti expressed appreciation to the RMAFC Chairman for his kind remarks and the Commission’s recognition of the administration’s efforts, explaining that his government has remained focused on efficiently deploying available resources towards addressing the State’s most pressing needs.

The Governor disclosed that his administration had, consistently over the past three years, committed more than 80 percent of its annual budgets to capital expenditure, with major attention given to infrastructure, education and healthcare.

“We are very happy that you are doing what you are doing. And we know that with the changes you are proposing, and with the President supporting us, States can be more empowered. If States are more empowered, they will do a lot more for the people,” Governor Otti stated.

Governor Otti explained that the administration’s approach to infrastructure development is driven by the need to fix roads and other facilities that have direct impact on the lives and economic activities of residents, irrespective of whether such roads fall under federal or state jurisdiction.

He noted that a significant number of the roads reconstructed by his administration are Federal roads, stressing that his government does not discriminate over ownership of roads whenever the necessary authorisation is obtained to intervene.

“All the good work we are doing is because we efficiently allocate our limited resources to areas of most important need.

“We are a very small State when you look at allocation.

“We are almost number 20, even though we have oil in one local government, but it is not that much,” Governor Otti said.

The Governor further reassured the Commission of the State Government’s continued cooperation and support, expressing optimism that the proposed review of the revenue allocation formula would be implemented soon.

He said a more responsive revenue-sharing framework would give States greater fiscal capacity to meet their responsibilities and accelerate development across different sectors.

A major highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) by Governor Otti to the RMAFC Chairman for the Commission’s proposed permanent office in Abia State.

The gesture makes Abia the first State in the South-East to hand over land to RMAFC for the construction of its permanent office, further strengthening the institutional relationship between the State Government and the Commission.

The visit therefore provided an opportunity for both the State Government and the revenue allocation body to reaffirm their commitment to improved fiscal management, stronger intergovernmental collaboration and the efficient deployment of public resources for development.

The RMAFC Chairman was accompanied by the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State in the Commission, Mrs. Nkechi Oti, alongside other officials of the Commission.

Also present during the visit were the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Comm issioners and other senior officials of the Abia State Government.