Governor Alex Otti Marks Two Years in Office with Over ₦40 Billion in Salary and Pension Arrears Cleared

 

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has revealed that his administration has committed over ₦40 billion towards offsetting arrears of salaries and pensions left unpaid by previous administrations. He made this announcement at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the grand finale of the events marking his second year in office.

Speaking before a packed stadium, Governor Otti declared that his government had brought an end to the era of unpaid wages and pensions in Abia State, restoring dignity and stability to the lives of civil servants and retirees.

“When we came in, salaries were being owed. Pensions were also being owed. Some of our institutions of higher learning, including the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, had lost accreditation. Today, I can proudly say that we are no longer owing,” he stated.

Improved Welfare for Civil Servants and Pensioners Governor Otti emphasized that his administration now ensures prompt and complete payment of both salaries and pensions. Under the new system, pensioners receive their full entitlements on the 28th of each month, alongside civil servants—a significant departure from the previous era of partial and delayed payments.

Civil Service Reforms and Digital Transformation The Governor announced the successful retrofitting of the long-abandoned Old Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, now a functional office complex housing over 1,000 government workers. Additionally, he disclosed that preparations are underway to launch a digital transformation initiative aimed at making the Abia civil service paperless.

“Computers have been made available, and very soon, the old practice of carrying physical files will be a thing of the past,” Otti noted.

He further disclosed that by December 31st, 2025, every part of Abia State will have access to internet connectivity, as part of a broader plan to build a digitally inclusive economy. This includes the launch of Abia’s first Digital Mall—an e-commerce hub designed to rival leading platforms and enable residents to shop conveniently from home.

Infrastructure, Health, and Economic Development Governor Otti used the occasion to highlight achievements in road infrastructure, education, health, and security. He spotlighted a flagship healthcare initiative: the proposed Abia Medical City, which aims to reverse the country’s outbound medical tourism, valued between $2 billion to $2.5 billion annually.

“The idea is simple: when Nigerians think of quality healthcare, they should think of Abia State,” he said.

He added that all these initiatives—including road upgrades, market revitalization, and environmental sanitation—are part of a broader strategy to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Massive Political and Public Support Governor Otti received a groundswell of support from political leaders during the event. Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, speaking on behalf of the National Assembly members, expressed their full backing for the Governor and declared that “there is no vacancy in Abia Government House come 2027.”

Their sentiments were echoed by Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Meregini, who passed a vote of confidence on the Governor and endorsed his second-term bid, describing him as “a gift to Abia.”

Business Community and Cultural Icons Join Celebration Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha, representing the Abia business community, commended Governor Otti’s leadership and called the past two years “a time of restoration and redefinition of governance” in the State. He pledged continued support from the private sector.

The grand celebration drew thousands to the Umuahia Township Stadium, which was filled to capacity. Security and traffic management were visibly present to control the enthusiastic crowd that took to the streets in celebration. The event also featured musical performances from top Nigerian entertainers including Flavour, Basketmouth, Ruffcoin, Exnel, and Onye Army, further elevating the celebratory atmosphere.

Looking Ahead As Governor Otti moves into his third year in office, he assured citizens of sustained developmental momentum in line with his administration’s theme of transformation, transparency, and service delivery.

“We are not slowing down. We are just getting started,” he concluded.