Abia State has emerged as the third fastest-improving state in Nigeria, according to the 2026 Philips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI), reinforcing claims of rapid socio-economic transformation under Governor Alex Otti’s administration.
The ranking, released in the 2026 Momentum Index, placed Enugu State first with a momentum score of +1.15, followed by Jigawa State with +0.77, while Abia State came third with +0.67.
According to the report, the Momentum Index measures the rate of progress made by states relative to the national average. States with positive scores are considered to be improving faster than the national average, while those with negative scores are judged to be advancing at a slower pace.
The top-performing states with positive momentum are Enugu, Jigawa, Abia, Osun, Kano, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Sokoto, Borno, Ogun, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Kaduna and Adamawa.
The report showed that states from Enugu to Adamawa recorded positive momentum, indicating above-average improvement during the review period.
In contrast, Niger, Bauchi, Plateau, Lagos, Cross River, Bayelsa, Taraba, Nasarawa, Anambra, Delta, Kebbi, Oyo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Benue, Katsina, Imo and Edo recorded negative momentum scores, suggesting that their pace of development fell below the national average over the assessment period.
Reacting to the ranking in a statement issued on Thursday, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the state’s performance as an independent validation of the reforms being implemented by the Otti administration.
He said the ranking reflects the impact of strategic investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, digital innovation, security, agriculture, public sector reforms and economic development.
According to Kanu, the state’s impressive showing demonstrates that ongoing reforms are producing measurable results and attracting national recognition.
He noted that major initiatives such as the reconstruction of critical road infrastructure, establishment of Smart Schools, improvements in governance, revenue administration, industrial revival, youth empowerment and investment promotion have contributed significantly to the state’s rapid progress.
“The latest ranking reinforces growing evidence that Abia is undergoing one of the most rapid transformations in the country,” he said.
The commissioner added that the recognition also reflects increasing confidence in the state’s governance model, which prioritises transparency, accountability, prudent resource management and people-centred policies.
Kanu said the state government remains committed to consolidating the gains already recorded while accelerating development initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of residents.
He described the Philips Consulting assessment as an independent endorsement of Abia’s reform agenda and its emergence as one of Nigeria’s leading examples of transformational governance and inclusive development.
