ABIA STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
God's Own State
Overall pSPI Rank:
10th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Very Good 3-Star Performer)
People & Culture
Resilient & Entrepreneurial
Abia is not just a state; it is a symbol of enterprise and cultural pride. Created in 1991, it sits in Southeast Nigeria, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo people, with a touch of Ibibio heritage in Arochukwu. Spanning 6,320 sq. km, Abia is home to about 4 million people and thrives on innovation and trade, with Aba standing as the centre of its commercial activities.
Abians are renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit, crafting a legacy in textiles, footwear, and artisanal works that have made Aba a centre of commerce and craftsmanship. From the vibrant Iri Ji (New Yam Festival) to the spirited Ugwu Abia Festival, culture in Abia is not just preserved, it is lived and celebrated. Tradition and enterprise blend seamlessly, making the state a dynamic force in Nigeria’s cultural and economic landscape.
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Politics
The Graveyard of Political Dynasties
Abia State has been a political battlefield where party dominance rarely guarantees survival. For years, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) reigned supreme, producing governors from Orji Uzor Kalu to Okezie Ikpeazu. However, the 2023 elections shattered the PDP’s stranglehold, as Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP) swept to victory, ending PDP’s 24-year rule.
Otti’s triumph marked a political upheaval, fueled by anti-establishment sentiment, economic dissatisfaction, and a yearning for change. The old power brokers, who once dictated electoral outcomes, found themselves irrelevant, proving that in Abia, political godfathers are not invincible. The rise of LP also reshaped Abia’s political future, making it a swing state where party allegiance is no longer absolute.
Despite his victory, Otti faces a politically fragmented landscape, where opposition forces, including PDP and APC, are waiting for an opportunity to reclaim power. With governance now under a new, independent structure, Abia’s next elections will test whether Otti’s win was a fluke or the beginning of a true political transformation.
Economy - The Potential of Aba & Agriculture
Abia is an economic powerhouse, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, commerce, and oil & gas. Aba stands as its commercial hub, renowned for textiles, footwear, plastics, cosmetics, and machinery production. Agriculture thrives with yams, cassava, maize, and palm oil, supported by fertile land and a strong farming culture.
Despite its oil and gas deposits, revenue generation remains low, with Abia ranking 26th in IGR per mineral resources, yet its entrepreneurial spirit keeps the economy vibrant.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦3,888 |  20th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦2.8 million | 13th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 14% | 18th |
| IGR to FAAC | 24% | 27th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | ₦102,840 | 1st |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦34,364 | 23rd |
| Ease of Doing Business | 5.59 | 21st |
What this means:
Abia ranks very high in capital expenditure per capita, reflecting ambitious investment in infrastructure. However, its reliance on federal allocation remains high, and its IGR-to-FAAC ratio is weak (27th), indicating a fragile internal revenue base.
pSPI Performance - Strong Showing with Fiscal Investments
Strengths
Top Rank in Capital Expenditure Per Capita: Reflecting aggressive spending on infrastructure.
Strong Public Health Worker Availability: Ranked 9th nationally, indicating better health staffing compared to peers.
Publicity of Government Policies: Ranked 4th, suggesting the government’s communication strategy is relatively effective.
Weaknesses
Weak Revenue Autonomy: Heavy reliance on federal allocation with a low IGR-to-FAAC ratio (27th).
Low Revenue-to-Budget Performance: Ranked 36th, indicating significant revenue underperformance.
Limited Grassroots Impact: 82% unaware of projects at the LGA level, suggesting poor visibility and engagement from local governments.
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
What Residents Think About Key Services
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 2nd | 64% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 16th | 36% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 9th | 57% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 31st | 29% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 21st | 57% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 31st | 29% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 21st | 36% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 7th | 21% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programs | 4th | 57% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 2nd | 43% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 9th | 36% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 18th | 29% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 12th | 50% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 26th | 21% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 10th | 29% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 7th | 29% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Perceived as better governed, more organised, and offering job opportunities
Lagos State
Offers vast opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionals
Oyo State
Perceived lower cost of living, and growing opportunities
Imo State
Proximity and cultural similarity, with a hope for better economy
Niger State
Cultural and family ties, despite grievances with infrastructure and governance
Least Preferred States & Reasons
None of the Above
Many respondents chose not to actively identify a “least preferred” state, possibly indicating a focus on fixing Abia
Zamfara State
Issues related to banditry, low development, and insecurity
Borno State
Security concerns due to insurgency and terrorism
Rivers State
Perceived insecurity, cultism, and environmental challenges in parts of Port Harcourt
Abia State itself
Reflects little dissatisfaction with governance, poor economic performance
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The government is partly invisible at the local government level:
do not know their
LG chairman
unaware of local government projects
unaware of any socioeconomic programmes
This gap is a serious governance failure and suggests that LGAs are not visible, accessible, or accountable to residents.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Umuahia North (25%), Bende (19%), Ohafia (13%), Umuahia South (13%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What The People Want
48 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Employment Creation and Youth Empowerment: Citizens called for practical measures to tackle unemployment through vocational training, entrepreneurship programmes, and public-sector job creation.
- Infrastructure Development and Urban Planning: Respondents urged the government to focus on road rehabilitation, flood control, and improved access to clean water and electricity, particularly in rural areas and underdeveloped parts of Umuahia and Aba.
- Health and Education System Strengthening: Residents expressed the need for more affordable and functional health facilities as well as quality improvements in public primary and secondary schools. They advocated for better-equipped classrooms and incentives for teachers and medical staff.
- Strengthen Accountability and Reduce Corruption: Several citizens called for increased transparency in governance, reduced misuse of public funds, and more visible efforts to combat corruption in public institutions and contract awards.
- Invest in Local Government Performance: Citizens emphasised the importance of strengthening local government authorities to deliver services and infrastructure. They requested increased visibility of and active engagement with LGA chairmen.
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pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan For Abia
 Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Abia urgently needs to:
- Improve Infrastructure and Public Services Delivery: Abia State should prioritise upgrading road networks, healthcare facilities, and educational infrastructure. These areas were consistently highlighted as pain points and are essential for improving citizen satisfaction and economic activity.
- Enhance Transparency and Local Government Performance: Survey data indicated low awareness of local government activities and limited citizen engagement. The state should improve communication around local development efforts and foster participatory governance at the grassroots level.
- Drive Economic Diversification and Ease of Doing Business: With significant potential in trade, agriculture, and manufacturing, Abia should create an enabling environment for SMEs and attract private sector investment by streamlining business registration, improving power supply, and providing tax incentives.
- Boost Education and Health Workforce Capacity: The state’s ranking in terms of public teachers and health workers per population indicates a staffing gap. Abia should invest in recruiting, training, and retaining qualified professionals in schools and health facilities.
- Institutionalise Data-Driven Planning and Monitoring: Abia should strengthen its planning institutions and adopt a performance-based approach in resource allocation. This includes deploying data and technology to track budget execution and service delivery across LGAs.
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Abia State 2025
A resilient economy rising but held back by Local Government disconnect & revenue weakness. Closing these gaps will unlock Abia’s full economic potential.