Governor Alex Otti has disclosed that his administration dedicated over ₦40 billion to settling accumulated salary and pension arrears since taking office in 2023, restoring financial stability to Abia’s workforce and retirees. Speaking at his government’s second-anniversary event in Umuahia, Otti emphasized that civil servants now receive salaries by the 28th of each month, while pensioners get full monthly payments—ending years of partial disbursements.
Otti highlighted infrastructural strides, including the complete renovation of the abandoned Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, now accommodating nearly 1,000 workers. His administration is digitizing government operations, phasing out manual systems through computer provisions and securing an MTN partnership to achieve full state network coverage by December 2025. The collaboration will also establish Aba’s first Digital Mall to boost e-commerce.
In education, Otti reaffirmed allocating 20% of Abia’s budget to the sector, with smart schools under construction across all 17 local governments. Free basic education policies spurred enrollment increases, prompting the recruitment of 5,300 teachers earlier this year; an additional 4,000 hires are planned. Healthcare upgrades include renovations at over 100 primary health centers (set for June commissioning), 10 general hospitals, and two specialist facilities. A planned “medical village” aims to curb medical tourism and position Abia as a national healthcare hub.
