Otti Reaffirms Commitment To Transparency As BudgIT Ranks Abia Among Nigeria’s Best-Run States

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the prudent management of the State’s resources.

Governor Otti stated this, Tuesday, in his office at Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, when he received a delegation from BudgIT Foundation Team, led by its Global Director, Oluseun Onigbinde.

The BudgIT team visited the governor following the release of the organisation’s 2025 State of States report, in which Abia State emerged fourth overall in Nigeria, rising from it’s initial 17th position within two years of the Otti led administration.

The Governor noted that transparency remains “non-negotiable” in his administration and constitutes the foundation of governance in the state.

He said that his administration had deliberately prioritised accountability and ethical conduct in public service, pointing out that officials found wanting in matters relating to transparency were sanctioned.

“The issue about transparency is non-negotiable. And we have had cause to part with people because of the issue of transparency. Because that’s the foundation.

“And I’ve always said that people watch you. They listen to you. But most times they do what you do, not what you say.

“If you lead by example, even without saying anything, people will key in. And when they are not doing the right thing, they will be panicking on their own, even before they are found.

“So it’s not even a matter to discuss. It is taken for granted that everybody working here has to be transparent”, Governor Otti said.

The governor stressed that while fiscal sustainability and internally generated revenue remained important, his administration was more focused on improving the quality of life of residents through investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure.

He explained that his administration met a near-collapse of public infrastructure upon assumption of office in 2023, including dysfunctional healthcare facilities, poor environmental conditions and declining school enrolment.

Governor Otti disclosed that his administration introduced free and compulsory basic education after discovering that school fees had become a major barrier preventing children from attending school.

According to him, school enrolment doubled shortly after the policy was introduced, leading the government to embark on massive teacher recruitment to bridge manpower gaps in public schools.

The Governor also highlighted ongoing reforms in the health sector, revealing that the state met 948 dysfunctional primary healthcare centres on assumption of office and had since begun rebuilding the healthcare system, including restoring accreditation for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital ABA.

Governor Otti said the administration chose not to aggressively pursue taxation in its early days in office, but instead focused on rebuilding infrastructure and restoring public confidence.

He welcomed the proposed partnership with BudgIT Foundation, which is expected to focus on fiscal sustainability, fiscal transparency and accountability.

Earlier, BudgIT Global Director, Mr Oluseun Onigbinde, commended the progress recorded by the Otti led administration and said the organisation was seeking a strategic partnership with the state government.

Onigbinde said the proposed collaboration would focus on fiscal sustainability, transparency and accountability, as well as investment in the social sector, particularly healthcare and education.

“We are impressed primarily with your progress and we want to see Abia continue to lead on this. Abia State is number four. It used to be number 17. 

“Abia moved from 17 to fourth within a period of two years and that’s a very, very competitive index”, he said.

Onigginde, noted that BudgIT’s State of States ranking was widely used by development partners, financial institutions and rating agencies, including the World Bank, in assessing state performance.

He further called for investment in healthcare, arguing that sustainable development required governments to prioritise human capital development.

Also speaking, BudgIT Nigeria Country Director, Vahyala Kwaga, said Abia ranked among the top-performing states in several sub-indexes assessed in the State of States report.

“Abia came fourth overall and particularly, if you look at the sub-indexes that make up the index itself, Abia was in top four for Index A, A1, B, and D.

“I think that is a testament to how well the state is being run”, Kwaga said.

He added that Abia had consistently ranked among the leading states in fiscal transparency reporting, describing the state government as open and receptive to constructive engagement.

Kwaga said BudgIT was eager to deepen collaboration with the state in order to strengthen governance systems, improve public sector reporting and support reforms in healthcare and other social sectors.

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