Governor Otti Signs into Law, Unveils Abia State 25-Year Development Plan (2025–2050)

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has signed into law and officially unveiled the Abia State 25-Year Development Plan, assuring stakeholders of its sustainability throughout the lifespan of the plan.

The long-term development framework, which covers the period from 2025 to 2050, was unveiled at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. Governor Otti described the plan as a comprehensive roadmap that will guide the state’s policy direction and determine how resources are allocated over the next 25 years.

According to the governor, the development plan is a dynamic document that reflects Abia State’s resource strengths, its current development status, and its aspirations for the future.

“The 25-Year Abia State Development Plan we have signed into law and unveiled is a living document. It captures our resource advantages as a state, our present position on the development ladder, and where we intend to be in the next 25 years. It defines the decision pathways we must follow in public sector spending, governance effectiveness, process strengthening, and the consistent development of the competencies of our people and institutions,” Governor Otti said.

He explained that the initiative is rooted in planning rather than novelty, noting that an earlier 30-year development plan existed but became outdated due to global and national developments, including the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in governance direction.

“There was a 30-year development plan, but the impact of COVID-19 and shifts in policy direction at both the federal and sub-national levels rendered that document no longer relevant,” he said.

Governor Otti further explained that many development plans fail due to the absence of legal backing, poor anticipation of risks, and the pursuit of private interests by political actors without effective accountability mechanisms. He stressed that these shortcomings were carefully addressed in the new plan.

“This development plan will not fail because it is anchored on a solid legislative framework. It has been passed into law by the Abia State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor. That legal foundation makes it very difficult for future administrations to ignore or deviate from it,” he stated.

The governor commended members of the State Economic Management Team for their diligence and timely delivery of the plan, as well as the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council for providing strategic guidance and enriching the document with their expertise. He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), and others.

In a goodwill message, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, represented by Ms Maureen Okoro, said the unveiling of the plan demonstrates Abia State’s commitment to a long-term, coherent, and people-centred development pathway that prioritises sustainability, inclusion, and shared prosperity. She praised Governor Otti’s visionary leadership and assured UNDP’s continued support in implementing the plan.

Similarly, the representative of PIND, Mr Chuks Ofolue, noted that the 25-year development plan, which reviewed the previous 30-year plan, is more focused and will serve as a guiding framework for future administrations in the state.

Also speaking, the President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), Mazi Jude Nwosu, described the plan as a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to transforming Abia State into a hub of progress, innovation, and prosperity, with a vibrant economy capable of competing across West Africa. He commended Governor Otti for taking the bold step.

The unveiling ceremony, which drew top government officials and dignitaries, featured the formal signing of the 25-Year Development Plan into law by Governor Alex Otti, in the presence of the leadership of the Abia State House of Assembly.