Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers and the revival of critical institutions in the state by clearing an 11-month backlog of salaries owed to staff of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu by past administrations in the state. The remarkable achievement, which has brought relief to thousands of academic and non-academic staff, stands as one of the most decisive steps yet in Otti’s ongoing reform of the state’s public finance system though it has, curiously, gone largely unnoticed by many.
For years, ABSU workers had endured hardship, uncertainty, and neglect under previous administrations that failed to prioritize their welfare. Salaries were delayed for months on end, leading to a breakdown of morale, disruptions in academic activities, and an exodus of qualified personnel seeking better opportunities elsewhere. When Otti assumed office in May 2023, he inherited a demoralized workforce and a university system weighed down by years of neglect. Rather than make excuses, he took decisive action to restore dignity and confidence within the state-owned institution.
True to his campaign promise of rebuilding Abia from the ground up, Governor Otti initiated a comprehensive review of the state’s wage obligations and directed an audit of all salary arrears across ministries, departments, and parastatals, including tertiary institutions. The findings were sobering: ABSU had accumulated a staggering backlog of 11 months of unpaid wages. The Governor immediately approved a phased payment plan that has now successfully cleared all outstanding salaries.
Today, ABSU workers can breathe a sigh of relief. The once-frequent protests, strikes, and campus unrest that characterized the university have given way to renewed optimism. Lecturers have returned to their classrooms with a sense of pride and gratitude, while administrative staff speak glowingly of a government that matches words with action.
The gesture is not merely a financial settlement, it is a reaffirmation of Otti’s philosophy that no society can thrive when its workforce is demoralized. The Governor’s move reflects a larger agenda of restoring trust between government and citizens. In a state long accustomed to broken promises and delayed wages, clearing an 11-month backlog at ABSU is a turning point.
Observers note that the feat did not come without strategic discipline and financial prudence. Since assuming office, Governor Otti has overhauled Abia’s financial management system, blocking leakages, introducing digital transparency tools, and enforcing strict accountability measures across all tiers of government. These reforms, driven by his background in banking and finance, have freed up resources that are now being redirected to vital areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and workers’ welfare.
Under the new order, payroll verification and due process mechanisms have become standard procedure. Every payment must pass through a transparent validation process that ensures funds are disbursed strictly for their intended purposes. This emphasis on accountability has restored credibility to government transactions and ensured that resources reach the people who need them most.
Beyond the financial relief, the Governor’s intervention has sparked a renewed sense of purpose at the university. Academic programs are back on track, research activities have resumed, and the morale of both staff and students is visibly high. The university management, in appreciation, has lauded the Governor’s gesture as one that has rescued the institution from collapse. According to insiders, many departments that were on the verge of shutting down due to staff disengagement and lack of accreditation are now functioning smoothly again.
Students, too, have expressed joy at the development. For them, the timely payment of staff salaries means a return to academic stability and fewer disruptions. The perennial strikes that once extended their study periods have become a thing of the past. The ripple effects of the Governor’s action are therefore being felt not only by workers but also by thousands of students and their families across Abia State.
Political analysts say the Governor’s approach to governance anchored on transparency, fiscal discipline, and human-centered development is gradually transforming Abia’s image from one of neglect to one of renewal. In a state where civil servants had grown used to months of unpaid wages and pensioners were forgotten, the Otti administration’s reforms are rewriting the narrative.
The Governor has repeatedly emphasized that salary payment is not an achievement but a basic obligation of government. Yet, in a context where past administrations failed to meet even that basic responsibility, Otti’s consistency in prioritizing workers’ welfare has earned him widespread respect. For him, governance is about restoring dignity to public service and ensuring that workers receive the reward for their labour without delay.
In a recent address, Otti reiterated that his administration would continue to focus on prompt salary payments, transparent budgeting, and institutional reform. He explained that his long-term goal is to make Abia one of the most financially responsible and economically vibrant states in Nigeria. “We cannot build a prosperous state on the foundation of neglect,” he said. “Our workers are the heartbeat of our administration, and their welfare will always remain our priority.”
Indeed, this guiding philosophy is visible across the state. Civil servants now receive their salaries on or before the 28th of every month, a level of consistency that was unimaginable just a few years ago. Pensioners have begun to receive their long-overdue benefits, and public institutions are being repositioned for greater efficiency. The reforms have also strengthened public confidence, encouraging private investors to explore opportunities in Abia’s growing economy.
The clearing of the ABSU salary arrears, though underreported, stands as one of the most profound expressions of Governor Otti’s people-centered governance. It demonstrates his belief that leadership is about service, accountability, and compassion not politics as usual. While many states continue to grapple with unpaid wages, Abia has become an example of how fiscal responsibility and empathy can coexist in governance.
As the state continues on this trajectory of renewal, the story of ABSU will remain a landmark example of how decisive leadership can reverse years of neglect. For the lecturers, non-academic staff, and students of the institution, the Governor’s intervention is more than a credit alert, it is a restoration of dignity, trust, and hope.
Governor Alex Otti’s quiet revolution in Abia is redefining what good governance means in practice. By clearing an 11-month backlog of salaries left by his predecessors, he has not only brought relief to thousands of families but also signaled a new era of accountability and compassion in public service. Even if the achievement has gone largely unnoticed, its impact will resonate for years to come.
Oluebube A. Chukwu Ph.D writes from Umuahia.
