7,000 youths scramble for Otti’s leadership bootcamp

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has reiterated his administration's dedication to cultivating a new generation of ethical and transformational leaders, emphasizing that the state's future development hinges on investing in its youth. Otti made these remarks on Sunday during the opening of the 2026 Youth Leadership Bootcamp at the Abia State Leadership Academy, held at Government College Umuahia.

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The Abia State Leadership Academy is not a routine training centre. 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.

Represented by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Otti highlighted the academy as a strategic institution designed to build character, ethics, and practical leadership capacity among young Abians. He stated, "The Abia State Leadership Academy is not a routine training centre. 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."

The overwhelming response to the bootcamp, with over 7,000 youths applying for just 1,000 available spots, underscores the desire among young people for genuine transformation and their confidence in the current administration's vision. The state partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University for this year's program, aiming to expose participants to global best practices in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

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The overwhelming number of applicants reflected the desire of young people for genuine transformation and confidence in his administration’s vision.

Participants were urged to embrace the opportunity with humility, foster meaningful relationships, and apply their acquired knowledge to effect positive change in their communities and the state. The bootcamp's curriculum is structured around four key pillars: leadership and service, enterprise, innovation, and impact, with the goal of equipping participants to become effective problem-solvers and future change-makers. The initiative is viewed as one of Governor Otti's most enduring legacies, designed to instill principles of integrity, innovation, and selfless public service.

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leadership is fundamentally about responsibility, integrity and service.