The Abia State Youth Leadership Bootcamp, an initiative of the Abia Leadership Academy, has kicked off in Umuahia as the Otti administration pays more attention to the youths in the state.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, declared the bootcamp officially open on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Government College Umuahia.
The governor reiterated his commitment to moulding future leaders of the state through mentorship, training, and exposure to the right environment. He added that the Abia State Leadership Academy is not a routine training centre but a strategic institution.
“It is a strategic institution built to instil ethics, values, and practical leadership skills in our young people. We are committed to getting it right with the younger generation. Otherwise, our wider development efforts will be in jeopardy.”
“This year’s programme is particularly significant, with 1,000 participants selected from more than 7,000 applicants. That response tells us our young people are hungry for genuine transformation and they trust this administration to deliver it.
“For 2026, we’ve partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, a global standard institution with ties to the World Bank, Goldman Sachs, and MasterCard.
“To our young participants, your selection is only the beginning. I urge you to learn with humility, participate actively, build meaningful relationships and, most importantly, use what you learn to positively influence your schools, communities and State,” Gov. Otti stated.
The facilitator of the programme and Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Pastor Mrs Eno Jerry-Eze, represented by Rev. Mrs Ifeoma Agu, harped on the benefits of the programme, urging youths to leverage it to imbibe civic responsibility and better themselves.
The Abia Leadership Academy ended last year after three batches of youths were trained for one week each.
The program, targeted at youths aged 16 – 20 in the southeastern state, aims to prepare them for a future of leadership and productive contribution to their state and the country as a whole.
The grand finale of the event was graced by the Governor, Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR, and his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE; the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ken Kalu, FCA; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD; commissioners; heads of agencies; and senior government officials, and took place at the premises of the prestigious Government College Umuahia.
The program, which lasted for a month, trained 1,000 Abia State youths and equipped them with various tenets of leadership. The graduating students also got certificates of participation and various cash rewards for top performers.
