Abia Ranked 3rd Fastest-Improving State in Nigeria as Governor Otti’s Sweeping Reforms Score Huge National Win

Abia State has bagged major national recognition after being named the third fastest-improving state in the entire country, beating out traditional economic powerhouses in a new national governance benchmark.

The high-profile endorsement comes courtesy of the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI) Momentum Index. The index evaluates how rapidly state governments are advancing relative to the national average across critical sectors including fiscal transparency, revenue growth, debt sustainability, and public service delivery.

In the latest performance scoreboard, Abia recorded a positive momentum score of +0.67, placing it firmly on the national podium behind only Enugu (+1.15) and Jigawa (+0.77). Notably, Abia’s rapid transformation trajectory allowed it to outpace major industrial and commercial heavyweights like Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Akwa Ibom, and Anambra across the 33 states evaluated.

Beyond overall developmental speed, the report’s citizen survey revealed that residents rated Abia as the best-performing state in Nigeria for security quality and public transport infrastructure.

Reacting to the report, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, stated that the ranking provides objective, independent proof that Governor Alex Otti’s administration is delivering real, measurable transformation to everyday citizens.

“Abia’s impressive performance demonstrates that the state’s ongoing reforms and development initiatives are yielding measurable and nationally recognized results,” Prince Okey Kanu emphasized. “This ranking reflects growing confidence in a governance model that places transparency, accountability, prudent resource management, and people-centered policies at the heart of public service. From rebuilding key urban road corridors to establishing digital Smart Schools and overhauling primary healthcare, we are proving that good governance directly improves lives.”

The report’s authors emphasized that simply receiving larger federal allocations does not automatically translate to better living standards. Instead, state performance is determined by how effectively leadership translates available revenue into tangible public infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Under Governor Otti’s watch, Abia has cut its public debt stock by 60% while simultaneously directing over 15% and 20% of annual budgets into healthcare and education, respectively. With major projects like the Port Harcourt Road reconstruction in Aba and state-wide healthcare center revamps firing on all cylinders, the latest national index confirms that Abia has officially turned the corner toward long-term prosperity.