The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has praised Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his administration’s strong economic and social progress. On Thursday, CIBN President Prof. Pius Olarenwaju led a delegation to visit the governor at his office.
Olarenwaju noted that Abia has achieved major milestones in a short time. Specifically, the state recorded a 10% GDP increase and an 8% drop in poverty. In addition, it attracted significant investments and created over 10,000 jobs. “We read about these successes in newspapers,” he said. “But seeing them firsthand is even more impressive. Therefore, we will share this widely.”
He also highlighted gains in the social sector. For instance, healthcare delivery has improved, and mortality rates have fallen. Furthermore, the state introduced health insurance and upgraded education through free schooling. Moreover, road projects and other infrastructure show purposeful leadership.
Beyond economic indicators, Olarenwaju praised Operation Crush, Abia’s security initiative. He explained that it has not only improved safety but also boosted youth confidence. Consequently, local businesses now operate more freely across the state.
In addition to governance, he honored Otti’s banking legacy. Indeed, he called him a “goodwill ambassador” of CIBN. Given his transition from finance to public service, Otti has become a source of pride for members. The institute plans to honor top former bank CEOs later this year—and accordingly, Otti’s record makes him a natural candidate.
Looking ahead, Olarenwaju proposed deeper collaboration. He urged joint work on financial literacy, financial inclusion, and completing the CIBN state office. Notably, the institute aims to train 10 million women and youths nationwide. “Financial literacy is the foundation of inclusion,” he emphasized. Thus, he asked Abia to actively join the effort.
Governor Otti welcomed the partnership. He reaffirmed his focus on sustainable development. He stated that ties with CIBN are already strong and can grow further. To illustrate, his administration has doubled school enrollment through free education. It has already hired 5,394 teachers—and is currently recruiting 4,000 more.
Otti also praised CIBN’s updated curriculum. He expressed interest in adopting it across state-owned tertiary institutions. Additionally, he fully supports the financial literacy program. “Even professionals make investment mistakes due to knowledge gaps,” he said. “Hence, I’m glad you’re addressing this.”
Senior officials joined the meeting. Among them were Finance Commissioner Hon. Uwaoma, Agriculture Commissioner Hon. Cliff Agbaeze, and Accountant-General Mrs. Njum Uma-Onyemenam, FCA.
In sum, the CIBN commends Abia Governor not just for results—but for a leadership model that blends expertise, inclusion, and real impact. As such, this approach offers a valuable example for other states to follow.
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