Abia State Launches ‘One Data, One Identity, One Government’ Initiative for Efficient Service Delivery

By Uduma Ukonu

Umuahia – The Abia State government has unveiled plans to implement data-driven governance through its proposed One Data, One Identity, One Government initiative, aimed at improving efficiency in public service delivery.

The initiative is designed to enable the state government to generate, plan, and deliver services using a single source of credible data, thereby eliminating duplication and enhancing transparency across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Governor Alex Otti made the announcement on Thursday while declaring open a one-day workshop on the initiative at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia. Speaking through his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the governor charged stakeholders to build a unified data architecture to track government performance and deliver services with precision and speed.

The workshop, christened Abia State Workshop on Strategic Digital Public Infrastructure and Delivery, brought together Commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and Planning Officers from the public service.

Governor Otti stressed that modern governance must rely on credible data and a reliable identity system. “In an era where economies thrive on information, Abia State cannot afford to operate in silos. A unified data architecture will empower us to track performance, allocate resources more efficiently, strengthen social protection systems, and deliver public services with precision and speed,” he said.

He added, “Without accurate data, planning becomes guesswork. Without a harmonised identity framework, service delivery becomes fragmented. The future of governance is digital, the future of planning is analytical, and the future of accountability is data-based.”

According to the governor, the workshop marks a deliberate step towards addressing the gaps caused by fragmented data and positioning the state for intelligent, evidence-based governance. “This initiative is not a mere slogan but a transformational blueprint that seeks to integrate and harmonise data systems across MDAs, enhance transparency, improve policy formulation, and ensure that government decisions are measurable, accountable, and impactful,” he said.

Governor Otti commended the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser, development partners, and federal agencies for championing the initiative.

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, underscored the importance of integrated data architecture in service delivery. “Decisions can no longer be based on assumptions or fragmented evidence. To plan effectively, allocate resources efficiently, and deliver services, we must build an integrated data architecture anchored on a reliable identity system,” he said.

The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, highlighted the challenges of fragmented data, describing past planning efforts as “voodoo planning.” He said having a single source of reliable data would significantly enhance the state’s performance. “If we think this state is doing well, multiply that by six. That is how much better we can perform with aligned data, budgets, and development plans,” he said.

The Chief Information Officer, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, provided a technical presentation on the factors that enhance accurate data for development. Sector-by-sector presentations followed, allowing stakeholders to discuss operational realities, integration challenges, capacity gaps, and digital identification requirements.

The workshop is part of Abia State’s strategic push to harness technology and data for smarter, evidence-based governance that benefits every citizen.