By Isaac Mission
Abia State has been ranked as the third fastest-improving state in Nigeria in the 2026 Philips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI), a development the state government says reflects the impact of ongoing reforms under Governor Alex Otti.
The latest Momentum Index, released by Philips Consulting, ranked Enugu State as the country's fastest-improving state with a momentum score of +1.15, followed by Jigawa State with +0.77, while Abia State secured third place with a score of +0.67.
The report explained that the Momentum Index evaluates how quickly states are progressing compared to the national average. States with positive scores are considered to be advancing faster than the country's overall pace of development, while those with negative scores are improving more slowly.
Other states that recorded positive momentum include Osun, Kano, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Sokoto, Borno, Ogun, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Kaduna and Adamawa, indicating stronger-than-average progress during the assessment period.
Meanwhile, states such as Niger, Bauchi, Plateau, Lagos, Cross River, Bayelsa, Taraba, Nasarawa, Anambra, Delta, Kebbi, Oyo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Benue, Katsina, Imo and Edo posted negative momentum scores, reflecting slower rates of development relative to the national average.
Reacting to the report, Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the ranking as independent confirmation that the reforms introduced by Governor Otti's administration are producing measurable results.
He attributed the state's performance to sustained investments in key sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, digital technology, agriculture, security, economic development and public sector reforms.
Kanu said projects such as the rehabilitation of major roads, the establishment of Smart Schools, improvements in governance and revenue generation, industrial revitalisation, youth empowerment programmes and efforts to attract investment have played significant roles in the state's recent progress.
According to him, the latest ranking demonstrates that Abia is experiencing one of the fastest development trajectories in the country and is gaining recognition for its reform-driven approach to governance.
He added that the state government remains focused on strengthening transparency, accountability, prudent financial management and people-oriented policies while sustaining the momentum of ongoing development initiatives aimed at improving residents' quality of life.
The commissioner described the Philips Consulting report as an objective endorsement of Abia's reform agenda and its growing reputation as a model for inclusive development and transformational governance in Nigeria.
