Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has celebrated former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, as he marked his 85th birthday, describing the retired general as a statesman whose administration played a historic role in the creation of Abia State.
Otti, in a goodwill message issued on Monday, August 17, 2026, said the people and Government of Abia remain grateful to Babangida for the decision that brought the State into existence 35 years ago.
The Governor’s message was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Njoku Ukoha.
Babangida, popularly known as IBB, was born on August 17, 1941, in Minna, present-day Niger State. He attained the age of 85 on Monday.
In his message, Otti described the former military leader as a visionary whose decisions while in office left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s political and administrative structure.
According to the Governor, one of the most significant legacies of Babangida’s administration for the people of the South-East was the creation of Abia State on August 27, 1991.
Otti said that decision remained a defining moment in the history of the State, which was carved out of the old Imo State.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Abia State, I heartily congratulate President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on attaining this remarkable age of 85,” the Governor said.
He added that Abia’s creation under Babangida’s administration was a development for which the State continued to appreciate the former military President.
The Governor noted that the establishment of Abia provided a distinct administrative identity for the people of the area and created a platform through which successive administrations could pursue development and represent the interests of residents.
Otti said Abia had, over the years, contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic and social development, particularly through the enterprise and resilience of its people.
He therefore acknowledged Babangida’s role in the circumstances that led to the emergence of the State, referring to him as the “Father of Abia State.”
The Governor also disclosed that the Abia State Executive Council formally marked the former military President’s birthday during its weekly meeting.
According to him, the Council used the occasion to appreciate Babangida for his role in the creation of Abia and to recognise the significance of the milestone birthday.
The Council also expressed gratitude to God for preserving the life of the former military President and sustaining him in good health at 85.
Otti’s tribute comes as Babangida continues to occupy an important place in Nigeria’s political history more than three decades after leaving office.
Babangida became Nigeria’s military President in August 1985 and remained in power until August 1993. His administration introduced several political, economic and institutional changes that continue to feature prominently in discussions about the country’s modern history. The State House has previously highlighted his administration’s infrastructure projects, economic reforms and the creation of several states as major aspects of his time in office.
Among the major structural changes associated with the Babangida era was the creation of new states, including Abia in 1991. The development significantly altered Nigeria’s administrative map and gave several communities new state-level institutions.
For Abia, the decision remains particularly significant because August 27 is observed as the anniversary of the State’s creation.
The relationship between Babangida’s administration and Abia’s historical development has also been reflected in other projects and institutions linked to his name. Historical records show that the IBB Technology Village Complex in Abia was named after the former military President in recognition of policies and initiatives associated with technological development during his administration.
Otti, while congratulating Babangida, prayed for continued strength, peace and wisdom for the former military President.
He also asked God to grant the retired general more years and continued opportunity to contribute to national development through his experience and counsel.
The Governor’s statement placed particular emphasis on Babangida’s longevity and the opportunity his 85th birthday provides to reflect on the former leader’s place in Nigeria’s history.
Babangida’s birthday has regularly attracted messages from political leaders, institutions and other prominent Nigerians. In 2025, President Bola Tinubu congratulated him on his 84th birthday and recalled his military career, his role in infrastructure development and his contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic evolution.
Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation described Babangida in its 2025 birthday message as an enduring statesman whose experience and contributions remained part of Nigeria’s national story.
The former military President’s eight-year administration remains one of the most discussed periods in Nigeria’s political history, with supporters pointing to institutional and infrastructural developments, while his tenure is also associated with major controversies, including the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Despite the debates surrounding his years in power, Babangida has remained a prominent elder statesman and a reference point in conversations about Nigeria’s military and political history.
For the Government of Abia, however, the focus of Otti’s birthday message was on the former leader’s connection to the State’s origin.
By formally celebrating Babangida at its Executive Council meeting and recognising him as the “Father of Abia State,” the Otti administration highlighted the historical significance of the decision made 35 years ago.
As Babangida begins his 85th year, Governor Otti extended the goodwill of the Abia Government and its people to the former military President, expressing appreciation for the role his administration played in creating the State.
The Governor’s message ultimately framed the 85th birthday not only as a personal milestone for Babangida but also as an opportunity for Abia to remember the political decision that gave the State its present identity.
Abia was created on August 27, 1991, and has since developed into one of the states in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone, with Aba serving as a major commercial and industrial centre and Umuahia as the State capital. The State’s emergence under Babangida remains a notable chapter in its history.