International business man, Politician and philanthropist, Hon Onyekwere Akym Uche (OAU), has commended Governor Alex Chioma Otti for what he described as a remarkable improvement in the state’s fiscal management and development trajectory, following the latest findings contained in the 2026 BudgIT State of States Report.
Akym, while reacting to the report, said the latest fiscal performance indicators provide further evidence of the transformation taking place in Abia under the Otti administration, particularly in the areas of revenue generation, capital expenditure and public resource management.
The 2026 BudgIT State of States Report, which examines the fiscal health and financial performance of Nigeria’s states, placed Abia among the leading states on several key indicators. According to figures released by the Abia State Government from the report, the state ranked second nationally in aggregate revenue growth and third in Internally Generated Revenue growth, while recording first-place rankings in total expenditure growth, capital expenditure growth and personnel expenditure growth.
The report covers fiscal trends from 2017 to 2025, providing a comparative assessment of how states have managed their revenues and expenditures over the period. BudgIT says its State of States publication examines states’ capacity to raise and manage internally generated revenue, undertake capital projects effectively and manage debt, among other fiscal considerations.
Reacting to the development, OAU lauded Gov Otti for demonstrating what he described as a more deliberate approach to public finance and development planning.
He said the figures contained in the report should be viewed beyond mere rankings, noting that the more important issue is the relationship between improved public revenue management and the visible investments being made across the state.
According to him, the reported growth in capital expenditure is particularly significant because it suggests that a substantial portion of the state’s expanding fiscal resources is being channelled into developmental interventions rather than being absorbed entirely by administrative costs.
Akym noted that Abia’s performance in the BudgIT assessment is coming against the backdrop of extensive investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical sectors by the present administration.
He said the development demonstrated the importance of combining stronger revenue mobilisation with disciplined expenditure and purposeful investment in projects capable of improving the quality of life of residents and stimulating economic activity.
Onyekwere Akym Uche further praised Otti for sustaining what he described as a development-oriented governance philosophy, adding that the governor’s background in the private sector had continued to reflect in the administration’s emphasis on financial discipline, accountability and measurable outcomes.
OAU also noted that the reported improvement in Abia’s fiscal standing should encourage the state government to deepen reforms that would expand its economic base, attract investment and create greater opportunities for young people and businesses.
He therefore urged the Otti administration to sustain the momentum, stressing that improved fiscal indicators must continue to translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Abians.
Akym said the ultimate measure of public-sector performance should not only be the figures contained in financial reports, but also the extent to which those resources are converted into functional infrastructure, quality public services, economic opportunities and an improved standard of living.
His commendation comes shortly after the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mohammed Bello Shehu, also commended Gov Otti for the prudent management of Abia’s resources. Shehu specifically cited the administration’s investments in road infrastructure and education, including the construction and rehabilitation of more than 400 roads and bridges, as evidence of the impact of its spending.
For Onyekwere Akym Uche, the convergence of independent fiscal assessments and observations from key public finance institutions shows the significance of the changes taking place in the state.
He maintained that Abia’s emerging fiscal profile presents an opportunity for the state to consolidate its gains and build a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth.
OAU consequently congratulated Gov Otti and the people of Abia on the latest recognition, while calling for greater emphasis on transparency, accountability, prudent resource allocation and projects that directly improve the welfare and economic prospects of citizens.
He expressed optimism that with sustained fiscal discipline and strategic investment, Abia could further strengthen its position as a competitive destination for investment and enterprise in the South-East.