Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called on the state assembly to create space for female representation in governance. This appeal was made during the presentation of the 2026 budget proposal, where Otti emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment and participation in decision-making processes.
Otti highlighted the significant contributions of women to the state’s development, citing their role in his electoral victory in 2023. He expressed his commitment to prioritizing women’s empowerment and ensuring their voices are heard in governance.
The governor has already taken steps to promote women’s empowerment, allocating N2 billion to community-based cooperative societies, with 60% earmarked for women, especially in agriculture. Women were also prioritized in the recent teachers’ recruitment exercise.
Otti’s administration has also focused on improving healthcare services, including the expansion of public healthcare centers and the extension of the State Health Insurance Scheme to cover women in the informal sector.
The 2026 budget proposal, titled “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities,” aims to drive rapid socioeconomic growth and sustained development. The budget allocates N229 billion for interventions in entrepreneurship, agriculture, sports, ICT, women and youth empowerment, and other key sectors.
Otti’s call for female representation in governance aligns with his administration’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable society.