CIBN Applauds Abia Governor Otti for Economic Gains

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for the notable economic progress achieved under his administration.

During a courtesy visit to the governor in Umuahia, CIBN President, Prof. Pius Olarenwaju, highlighted key milestones including a 10 percent rise in the state’s GDP, an eight percent reduction in poverty, attraction of new investments, and the creation of more than 10,000 jobs.

Olarenwaju also praised improvements in healthcare delivery, reduced mortality rates, the introduction of health insurance, and enhanced education infrastructure through free education policies. He noted that ongoing road projects and the Operation Crush security initiative had boosted confidence among residents and strengthened economic activity.

The CIBN leader described Otti as a goodwill ambassador of the institute, acknowledging his contributions to the banking profession and his success in public service. He revealed plans to honour outstanding former bank executives later this year and called for deeper collaboration with the Abia government in areas such as financial literacy, inclusion, and infrastructure development.

In response, Governor Otti reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable growth and stronger ties with the CIBN. He pointed to achievements such as free and compulsory education, improved healthcare, and job creation. He disclosed that school enrolment had doubled under the free education policy, with 5,394 teachers recruited and plans underway to hire an additional 4,000.

Otti expressed interest in adopting CIBN’s updated curriculum across state-owned tertiary institutions and welcomed its proposals for regional conferences and financial literacy programmes. He emphasized that financial literacy is essential for empowering citizens and reducing costly mistakes in investment decisions.

The governor was joined by senior officials, including the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Uwaoma; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Cliff Agbaeze; and the Accountant-General of the State, Mrs. Njum Uma-Onyemenam.