The 2026 Youth Leadership Bootcamp of the Abia State Leadership Academy has rolled off the ground with Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti calling on the participants to learn with humility and participate actively in the programme.
Declaring the programme open on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at Government College Umuahia, the Governor Otti restated his avowed commitment to developing young Abians to becoming the future leaders of the state and nation.
Governor Otti represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu pointed out 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,” the Governor declared.
Presenting her speech, the facilitator of the programme and Chairman Civil Service Commission, Pastor Mrs Eno Jerry -Eze represented by Rev. Mrs Ifeoma Agu noted that the programme is an opportunity for the youths to imbibe the ideals of civic responsibility and urged the participants to be determined to use the lessons of the bootcamp to better their lives and be the change that they crave.
Mrs. Eno Jerry -Eze, lauded the Governor for placing the youths in the leadership map in Nigeria and for leaving a legacy that assures that the leadership he has introduced would be sustained and urged the instructors to dedicatedly assist them.
Delivering his lecture earlier on the theme, “The Demands of Stewardship,” the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba commended Governor Alex Otti, for establishing the Abia Leadership Academy in which the Governor, through his vision is investing in the lives of the teenagers and young leaders of the state.
Pastor Ajagba, while describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of the state and a lasting legacy that will shape the character, mindset and leadership capacity of generations yet unborn, disclosed that by intentionally preparing young people for responsible leadership, Governor Otti is laying a firm foundation for sustainable development and ensuring that the ideals of integrity, innovation and public service remain deeply rooted in Abia’s future.
He added that it is an honour for all those invited to share their perspectives in the noble vision of raising a generation of principled, disciplined and transformational leaders through the Abia Leadership Academy and applauded the exemplary life of vision, focus, sacrifice, discipline, competence, integrity of Governor Otti while assuring the unwavering commitment of the Governor to good governance and purposeful leadership.
Also speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of the development partner – the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Athlantic University, Dr. Uche Egbuna, said the future of every society depends on the quality of leaders it intentionally develops, adding that leadership is about responsibility, integrity and service.
Dr. Egbuna stated that the boot camp is built on four key pillars: leadership and service, enterprise, impact, and innovation, and encouraged participants to strive for meaningful impact by becoming problem-solvers and change-makers.
He described the partnership with the Abia State Leadership Academy as a shared commitment to developing ethical leaders, resilient entrepreneurs and innovative young people who will contribute to economic growth and social transformation.
Speaking, the President of Abia State Leadership Academy, Prof. Kenneth Kalu disclosed that 7052 persons applied for the programme and 1000 and few others were qualified after the rigorous processes of selection.
While assuring that the programme has rich curriculum, Prof. Kalu enjoined the participants to remember that they are expected “to think , reflect and become”, emphasising that what is more important is not that they participated from the programme but what they become from the programme.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Chukwuemerie Obiorah and Treasure Ogbonna thanked the Governor for the opportunity given them to become transformational leaders. They assured that they would not be disappoints but would make good use of the bootcamp to better better citizens in the society.
The bootcamp being coordinated by the Programme Manager, Abia State Leadership Academy and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor attracted the presence of the Secretary to the State Government Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, Commissioner for Tertiary Education Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, Principal Secretary and Chief Strategist Officer of the state, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu among other government officials.
