Gov. Alex Otti Unveils Bold Plans for Abia State: Key Highlights from September Address

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, development, and people-centered governance during his monthly interactive session with Abians on September 25, 2025. The session—designed to update citizens on government projects and receive direct feedback—covered health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and youth empowerment.

Below are the major highlights from Governor Otti’s September address:

1. Transparency and Accountability

Governor Otti emphasized that despite political distractions and misinformation, his government remains focused on delivering real progress. He restated his commitment to hosting the monthly interaction to ensure that Abians are consistently informed and can ask questions directly.

2. Healthcare Transformation

The governor announced significant progress in primary healthcare operations across Abia State. Newly built centers are now fully equipped and staffed, ensuring pregnant women receive antenatal care and safe delivery under professional supervision. Some facilities also provide staff accommodation to guarantee 24/7 service delivery.

He confirmed the recruitment of 771 medical professionals to boost healthcare services—applications have even come from outside Nigeria, including South Africa and Zambia. The state is also working to complete the Specialized Hospital at Ummuneato and upgrade 22 secondary healthcare centers.

3. Agriculture and Rural Development

Governor Otti revealed new agricultural initiatives aimed at ensuring food security, reducing rural-urban migration, and promoting commercial farming. Each of Abia’s 17 Local Government Areas is being mapped for its unique agricultural products.

The TechRise 2.0 program is training 50 young people from each LGA—totaling 850 candidates—in cutting-edge tech skills to make them globally competitive. The state is also constructing evening markets in all LGAs, complete with solar lighting, to extend business hours and boost rural economies.

4. Youth and Sports Development

To nurture young talent, an inter-local government football competition is underway to prepare youths for opportunities within and outside Nigeria. This initiative is part of the government’s drive to engage the state’s vibrant youth population.

5. Infrastructure Upgrades

Governor Otti acknowledged that infrastructure decay has been one of Abia’s greatest challenges. He announced:

The upcoming flag-off of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road reconstruction

President Tinubu’s scheduled visit to commission the Port Harcourt Road and other key projects

Active projects in Aba, including 10 new roads under the Greater Aba Development Authority

Progress at Aba Leisure Park and the ongoing airport runway construction

He also noted that issues with land compensation around the airport project are being resolved.

6. Education and Teacher Recruitment

The government has launched the construction of 20 smart schools, upgraded teacher quality, and improved school curricula. Governor Otti confirmed the approval to recruit 4,000 more teachers to strengthen public education across Abia State.

He congratulated the management of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic for achieving accreditation of 33 courses and announced the appointment of a new rector for Arochukwu College of Technical Education to enhance teacher training programs.

7. International Partnerships

Governor Otti highlighted increased international engagement, noting recent visits from the EU Ambassador, the Israeli Ambassador, and the upcoming visit of the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria. The state also launched the Social Protection Scheme (SUSHI) to support vulnerable populations, including senior citizens.

8. Security and Peace

The governor praised Abia’s relative peace and the work of security agencies, while urging citizens to stay vigilant during the ember months. He also disclosed plans to renovate and expand the state prison to improve rehabilitation, not simply incarceration.

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Conclusion

Governor Alex Otti’s September 2025 address showcased an ambitious roadmap for Abia State—touching on healthcare, infrastructure, education, agriculture, and youth development. His administration’s monthly updates continue to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.