President Tinubu’s approval of a $125 million Islamic Development Bank facility marks a turning point for Abia’s infrastructure drive. The project will deliver over 160km of new roads, create thousands of jobs, and transform urban mobility. See the details of how this historic investment will shape the state’s future.
Umuahia, Abia State – In a landmark development that signals a new era of infrastructure renewal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a $125 million Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) financing facility for the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (ABSIID).
The approval, announced after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of Wednesday, August 13, 2025, marks a major milestone in Governor Alex Otti’s ambitious infrastructural transformation agenda. The project — valued at $263.80 million — is a multi-financed undertaking involving:
$125 million from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
$100 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB)
$15 million from the Canada–Africa Development Bank
$23.80 million counterpart funding from the Abia State Government
This financing will deliver 126 kilometres of new and rehabilitated roads in Aba, 35.57 kilometres in Umuahia, and a strategic Aba–Umuahia link road, alongside critical erosion control works to safeguard infrastructure and communities.
Transformational Impact
Once completed, the project will:
Reduce travel time on Abia’s busiest urban corridors
Create over 3,000 jobs for local residents
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved road design
Enhance access to essential services
Attract major private sector investment
Beyond roads, the initiative will stimulate Abia’s economy, enhance trade, and reinforce the state’s emerging role as a hub for commerce, industry, and tourism.
Strategic Execution
The Abia State Ministry of Works will execute the project, guided by the State Steering Committee, ensuring strict adherence to IsDB procurement guidelines. Payments for contractors and consultants will be made directly by the bank to guarantee transparency.
Governor Otti hailed the facility as a testament to sustained intergovernmental collaboration, thanking:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his trust and pragmatic leadership
The National Assembly for approving the borrowing plan
Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun for concluding the financing process
VP IsDB, Dr. Mansur Muhktar, for initiating and championing the request from November 2023
All other key stakeholders who contributed to this milestone
Governor Otti’s Vision
Governor Otti emphasized that this facility will complement ongoing road reconstruction in Aba and Umuahia, accelerate erosion control measures, and lay the groundwork for a modern, integrated transportation network.
“This is more than a road project — it is an investment in the future of Abia. It will strengthen our economy, improve quality of life, and make our state a model for sustainable urban renewal in Nigeria,” he said.
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