Otti Presents 2026 ‘Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities’ to Abia Assembly

Governor Alex Otti on Tuesday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Abia State House of Assembly, outlining an ambitious development blueprint anchored on rapid infrastructure expansion, social sector revitalisation and strengthened institutional reforms.

Addressing lawmakers at the Assembly Complex in Umuahia, Governor Otti expressed gratitude to the legislature for what he described as its unwavering collaboration with the executive in advancing the “New Abia” vision. He also commended Abians at home and abroad for their continued support, noting that democratic leadership is both “an honour and a responsibility to pursue the dreams of collective freedom and progress.”

Otti emphasised that the annual budget presentation is not merely a constitutional ritual but a moment for evaluation, accountability and strategic planning. He stated that the administration remains committed to building systems that remove obstacles to growth, stimulate enterprise, and unlock the state’s latent potential.

The Governor reviewed key achievements recorded in the 2025 fiscal year, recalling that the state had implemented the N750.2 billion budget with strict adherence to the expenditure limits passed by the Assembly. He noted that supplementary appropriations were prudently applied to emerging priorities.

Security and Infrastructure

Otti highlighted improved security as one of the administration’s strongest accomplishments, insisting that Abia remains one of the safest states in Nigeria. He credited this to sustained investments in security operations and unwavering enforcement against criminality.

On infrastructure, the Governor reported that more than 600 kilometres of critical roads have been constructed, rehabilitated or restored across all 17 local government areas within 30 months. Several major projects were completed in 2025, including Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road, and key stretches within the Aba urban corridor. He also listed progress on numerous strategic roads such as Arochukwu–Ozuabam, Umuopara Ring Road, Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Abariba, and Owerrinta–Umuikaa–Umuene dual carriageway.

He attributed significant cost savings to the revitalisation of the Ministry of Works’ engineering corps, whose expanded role has enabled the state to execute major projects in-house.

Health Sector Gains

Otti disclosed that 15% of the 2025 budget was dedicated to the health sector, resulting in the rebuilding or retrofitting of about 200 primary healthcare centres, revival of general hospitals, expansion of cottage hospitals, and improved tertiary healthcare services. He announced ongoing remodel­ling of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, and an expanded range of specialist services at the Abia State Specialist and Diagnostic Hospital, Umuahia.

He further noted the rollout of the Abia Health Workers Salary Scale (ASHWOSS), the recruitment of 771 new health professionals, and the enrolment of about 120,000 residents under the state’s health insurance scheme. Abia, he said, was recently ranked the most prepared state for emergency health response in Nigeria.

Education, Agriculture and Energy

According to the Governor, the education sector remained the administration’s largest budgetary priority, receiving 20% of state allocations in 2024 and 2025. Over 5,394 teachers were recruited earlier in the year, with another 4,000 currently being processed. More than 100 public schools have been remodelled, smart learning tools deployed, and over 2,000 teachers trained. Enrolment in public basic schools has doubled since the introduction of free and compulsory education.

In agriculture, Otti said the state now operates a data-driven system that links farmers to farmlands and necessary inputs. More than 2,000 smallholder farmers received targeted support last season, while previously idle state-owned agricultural assets have been surveyed and digitised for investment partnerships.

On energy reforms, he announced significant progress toward energy independence with the passage of the Abia State Electricity Law and establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA). He confirmed that the state’s bid to acquire distribution infrastructure outside the Aba ring-fence had been accepted.

2026 Budget Breakdown

Presenting the 2026 fiscal proposal titled “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities,” Otti announced a total budget size of N1.016 trillion, representing a 13% increase over the 2025 figure.

The proposed expenditure is structured as follows:

Capital expenditure: N811.8 billion (80%)

Recurrent expenditure: N204.4 billion (20%)

The capital allocation reflects a 32% rise from the previous year, underscoring the administration’s focus on infrastructure expansion and economic transformation. The recurrent budget increased by 33% to accommodate essential administrative operations.

Governor Otti concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountable governance and vowed to release the full 2025 budget performance report at the end of the current quarter.