Abia State has been ranked as Nigeria’s third fastest-improving state in the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Momentum Index, a development the state government says validates the sweeping reforms and development agenda of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.
The ranking, released on Wednesday, placed Abia with a positive momentum score of +0.67, behind only Enugu State (+1.15) and Jigawa State (+0.77).
The report also ranked Abia ahead of Osun, Kano, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Lagos, Imo, Anambra and several other states assessed during the review period, which covered 33 states across the federation.
According to Phillips Consulting, the Momentum Index measures the pace at which states are improving relative to the national average. States with positive scores are considered to be advancing faster than the national benchmark, while negative scores indicate slower progress.
Reacting to the ranking in a statement issued on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the report as independent confirmation of the remarkable progress being recorded under Governor Otti’s leadership.
“Abia’s impressive performance demonstrates that the state’s ongoing reforms and development initiatives are yielding measurable and nationally recognised results,” Kanu said.
He attributed the state’s strong performance to strategic investments across critical sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, digital innovation, security, agriculture, economic development and public sector reforms.
According to the commissioner, key projects such as the reconstruction of major road networks, the establishment of Smart Schools across the state, reforms in governance and revenue administration, industrial revitalisation, youth empowerment programmes and aggressive investment promotion have significantly accelerated Abia’s development trajectory.
Kanu also said the ranking reflects growing public confidence in the state’s governance model, which prioritises transparency, accountability, prudent management of public resources and people-focused policies.
“The ranking also reflects increasing confidence in Abia’s governance model, which places transparency, accountability, prudent resource management and people-centred policies at the heart of public service delivery.
“The state government remains committed to consolidating the gains and accelerating development initiatives that improve the quality of life of every Abian.
“The recognition by Phillips Consulting serves as an independent validation of Abia’s reform journey and further strengthens the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s emerging models of transformational governance and inclusive development,” the statement added.
The latest ranking adds to a growing list of national recognitions for Abia as the Otti administration continues to pursue reforms aimed at repositioning the state as a competitive destination for investment, innovation and sustainable development.
