Shock as Abia Govt Under Otti Budgets N210m for Single Photocopier in 2026 Fiscal Plan

Umuahia, Abia State – In a development that has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability, the Abia State government led by Governor Alex Otti has earmarked a staggering N210 million for the purchase of a single photocopier machine in the state’s 2026 budget. This revelation comes from a detailed review of the approved appropriation document, raising serious questions about fiscal prudence amid pressing needs in education and infrastructure.

The 2026 Appropriation Bill, signed into law by Governor Otti in December 2025, totals N1,016,228,072,651.99. According to the budget breakdown, N210,831,142.00 is allocated specifically for acquiring the photocopier destined for the Abia State Liaison Office in Lagos. This item falls under Total Capital Expenditure for Reform in Government and Governance. Notably, in the previous 2025 budget, only N2.5 million was set aside for a similar purchase, leaving many puzzled over the over N208 million hike with no clear justification provided.

A photocopier, popularly known in Nigeria as a “photocopy machine,” is a basic office equipment used for duplicating documents cheaply and efficiently. The exorbitant allocation has drawn sharp criticism, with netizens questioning if this is a case of inflated contracts or misplaced priorities.

Further scrutiny of the budget reveals additional eyebrow-raising provisions, such as N287 million designated for publicity on social media and radio under the Abia Policy Innovation Centre. This comes against the backdrop of previous reports highlighting lavish spending by the Otti administration.

As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News, the governor’s office expended a whopping N927 million within just three months in 2023 on refreshments, meals, honorarium, allowances, and welfare packages for officials. In that period, N223,389,889.84 went to refreshments and meals, N305,400,000.00 to honorarium and sitting allowances, and N397,520,734.00 to welfare packages. Additionally, N737,922,661.25 was splashed on vehicles, including N362,804,050.00 for trucks and N400,890,000.00 for buses, though details on quantities and beneficiaries remain undisclosed. The Deputy Governor’s office alone gulped N252.4 million in operational costs over those three months.

Public reactions have been swift and scathing, particularly on social media platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), users expressed disbelief and frustration. One post by @MasterBolaji highlighted the irony, stating: “Alex Otti of Abia State, in his proposed 2026 budget, plans to buy a single photocopier for ₦210 million. This is the same man once praised as ‘a tree that makes a forest.'” Another user, @emmaikumeh, described it as “so disappointing,” sharing a video clip discussing the budget anomaly. Political analyst @scarfizal called for transparency, noting: “Serious questions need answers. Reports of 210m to be spent on a photocopier raises serious concerns about governance and accountability in Abia.”

The controversy is amplified by the stark contrast with underfunded sectors. In the same 2023 report, only N25 million was allocated for repairing public schools across the state, despite widespread decay. Multiple sources indicate that primary and secondary schools in Abia’s 17 local government areas suffer from dilapidated structures, leaking roofs, broken furniture, and shattered windows due to years of neglect. This has left pupils learning in hazardous conditions, fueling accusations that the government prioritizes luxury over essential services.

Governor Otti, who presented the 2026 budget titled “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities” to the Abia State House of Assembly in November 2025, has yet to respond to these allegations. The administration has previously defended its spending as necessary for governance reforms, but critics argue it reflects a pattern of extravagance.

NaijaChoice News reached out to the Abia State Government for comments, but no response was received at the time of filing this report. As debates rage online and in forums like Nairaland, where users dissected the budget line-by-line, Abians are demanding greater transparency and a review of these allocations to ensure public funds serve the people’s interests.