FIC Report (Abia State) – The Abia State Government has officially launched the 2026 Abia State Leadership Academy Youth Leadership Bootcamp, marking another milestone in its commitment to youth empowerment by assembling 1,000 carefully selected young people for an intensive leadership and capacity-building programme designed to nurture the next generation of transformational leaders, innovators and changemakers.
The grand opening ceremony was held at Government College, Umuahia, where Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, formally declared the week-long bootcamp open.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in young people, describing the Abia State Leadership Academy as a strategic institution established to equip youths with ethical values, sound character and practical leadership skills.
He disclosed that more than 7,000 applications were received for the programme, with only 1,000 participants selected through a rigorous screening process involving verification, interviews and computer-based tests.
According to him, “This year’s programme demonstrates the confidence young people have in this administration. Through this academy, government is investing in the character, competence and leadership capacity of the next generation.”
Governor Otti also announced a partnership between the Abia State Leadership Academy and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, noting that participants would benefit from world-class mentorship and leadership training facilitated by seasoned professionals.
President of the Abia State Leadership Academy, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, welcomed participants, describing them as partners in building a better society. He stressed that the true measure of the bootcamp would not be what takes place during the training but the positive impact participants make in their communities after graduation.
According to him, the academy’s guiding philosophy is to inspire participants to “think, reflect and become” transformational leaders capable of driving sustainable development.
Representing the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission and Programme Facilitator, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze, PhD, Commissioner I of the Commission, Mrs. Ifeoma Agu, urged participants to embrace the opportunity to cultivate leadership values, civic responsibility and excellence.
She encouraged them to apply the knowledge acquired during the bootcamp to compete favourably with their peers globally.
Also speaking, the representative of the Executive Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, Dr. Uchenna Egbulam, said the partnership with the academy reflects a shared commitment to developing ethical leaders and entrepreneurs capable of transforming society.
He explained that the bootcamp curriculum is anchored on four pillars—leadership and service, enterprise, impact, and innovation—while encouraging participants to embrace critical thinking, problem-solving and lifelong learning.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr. Obiora Chukwuemere thanked Governor Otti for providing a conducive learning environment, including accommodation, feeding and training facilities. He said the programme had already begun instilling values such as integrity, discipline, empathy, innovation and civic responsibility.
Another participant, Miss Ogbonna Treasure, also expressed appreciation to Governor Otti, the Enterprise Development Centre and the leadership of the academy for creating an opportunity for Abia youths to become transformational leaders, innovators and changemakers.
She pledged that the participants would make the most of the opportunity and justify the confidence reposed in them.
The week-long bootcamp is designed to nurture future leaders equipped with ethical values, entrepreneurial skills, innovation and civic consciousness, in line with the Abia State Government’s vision of building a new generation of competent leaders for Abia State and Nigeria.
Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent office of the Deputy Governor.
02/08/2026
