Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on key stakeholders to embrace a unified data architecture to enhance performance tracking and ensure efficient public service delivery across the state.
The Governor made the call on Thursday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, while declaring open a one-day workshop on Strategic Digital Public Infrastructure and Delivery for public service stakeholders. The event was organised by the state government as part of efforts to strengthen governance through digital innovation.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Dr. Otti stressed that governance in the 21st century must be anchored on credible data and a reliable identity system.
“In an era where economies thrive on information, Abia State cannot afford to operate in silos. A unified data architecture will empower us to track performance, allocate resources efficiently, improve internally generated revenue, strengthen social protection systems, and deliver public services with precision and speed,” the Governor said.
He noted that planning without accurate data amounts to guesswork, while the absence of a harmonised identity framework leads to fragmented service delivery.
Dr. Otti described the workshop as a deliberate and strategic step toward addressing longstanding data gaps and positioning Abia State for evidence-based and intelligent governance. He urged participants to ensure that deliberations are practical, solution-driven and forward-looking.
“We expect frank discussions about operational realities, data needs, integration challenges, capacity gaps, and digital identification requirements. The outcome must be a scalable, secure, and fit-for-purpose framework that supports every agency’s strategic objectives,” he stated.
Emphasising the importance of digital transformation, the Governor said the theme, “One Data, One Identity, One Government,” is more than a slogan but a transformational blueprint aimed at integrating and harmonising data systems across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to him, the initiative seeks to eliminate duplication, enhance transparency, improve policy formulation, and ensure that government decisions are measurable, accountable and impactful. He added that the programme aligns with his administration’s development philosophy of structured, purposeful governance driven by measurable outcomes.
Dr. Otti commended the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser, development partners, and relevant federal agencies for driving the initiative.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, underscored the urgency of building an integrated data architecture for effective service delivery. He said government decisions can no longer rely on assumptions or fragmented evidence.
“For us to plan effectively, allocate resources appropriately, monitor funds accurately, and deliver services efficiently, we must build an integrated data architecture anchored on a reliable identity system,” he said, describing the workshop as a foundational step toward building a modern, coordinated and intelligent government.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, encouraged participants to engage actively and contribute constructively. He disclosed that the workshop’s theme was “One Citizen, One Identity: Unlocking Data-Driven Governance,” and lamented that fragmented data had hindered optimal performance in the state.
He noted that aligning budgeting and development planning with credible data would significantly improve outcomes and strengthen engagements with development partners such as the World Bank.
The State Chief Information Officer, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, delivered a technical presentation highlighting the importance of accurate data and the key factors necessary to achieve reliable data systems for sustainable development.
The workshop attracted Commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Planning Officers and other senior government officials, and featured sectoral presentations aimed at charting a clear path toward integrated digital governance in Abia State.
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