Otti Alex Chioma

Alexander Chioma Otti, Sr., born on February 18, 1965, is a Nigerian economist, banker, investor, philanthropist, and politician from Umuru Umuehim in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State.

He has held significant leadership roles in banking and finance, including serving as the former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc. Previously, he worked at institutions like Nigerian Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd., Societe Bancaire Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and First Bank of Nigeria PLC.

Otti earned his university degree in economics with a First Class honors from the University of Port Harcourt in 1988. He later obtained an MBA from the University of Lagos in 1994 and pursued executive programs at prestigious institutions such as Columbia Business School, Stanford Business School, Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania), and INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.

Honorary degrees were conferred on him by Babcock University (2009) and the University of Port Harcourt (2012), followed by another honorary doctorate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2013. He also attended various international courses and executive development programs.

Otti’s academic and professional background includes secondary education at Ngwa High School and Secondary Technical School Okpuala Ngwa, where he excelled academically. His family roots are tied to the Ehi Na Uguru Ancient Kingdom in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State.

He joined the Labour Party in May 2022 after leaving the All Progressive Congress (APC). Before that, his political career included gubernatorial aspirations under APGA, where he faced legal challenges over election results. His judicial disputes involved declarations of victory and reversals by courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

After joining the Labour Party, Otti was declared unopposed as the party’s flagbearer for the 2023 governorship elections. He subsequently won the election with 175,467 votes, defeating his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His tenure as Governor of Abia State since the 2023 general elections has been marked by political transitions and party affiliations.

Otti is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and holds a prominent role in media, serving on the editorial board of Thisday newspaper. He contributes regularly to the publication with a fortnightly column titled 'Outside The Box'.

Married to Priscilla Otti, he has three children. His philanthropic contributions extend beyond politics, reflecting his broader commitment to education and economic development.