Otti Alex Chioma

Alexander Chioma Otti, Sr., born on February 18, 1965, is an economist, banker, investor, philanthropist, and politician serving as the Governor of Abia State in Nigeria.

He comes from Umuru Umuehim in Isialangwa South LGA, originally from Umuru, Umuehim village in Ehi Na Uguru Ancient Kingdom, Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State.

Otti’s secondary education was at Ngwa High School and Secondary Technical School Okpuala Ngwa, where he excelled academically. He later attended the University of Port Harcourt, graduating with a First Class degree in economics in 1988.

He earned an MBA from the University of Lagos in 1994 and has completed advanced executive programs at Columbia Business School, Stanford Business School, Wharton (University of Pennsylvania), and INSEAD, France. Honorary doctorates include those from Babcock University (2009) and the University of Port Harcourt (2012).

Otti began his banking career in 1989 with Nigerian International Bank before moving to Societe Bancaire Nigeria Limited, UBA, First Bank, where he held key roles including executive director for commercial banking. In 2011, he became Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank.

He voluntarily retired from Diamond Bank on October 24, 2014, after leading its transformation. A Seventh-day Adventist, he is married to Priscilla Otti and has three children.

Initially a gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), his political trajectory shifted in May 2022 when he joined the Labour Party, contesting unopposed as its flag bearer for the 2022 election. In the 2023 general elections, he defeated rivals to become Governor of Abia State under the Labour Party.

Known for his editorial work at Thisday, he writes a weekly column titled ‘Outside The Box’ and has been involved in legal challenges over past gubernatorial elections.