Remodelling of Enyimba International Hotel: Ude Oko Hails Otti, Says “The New Abia Is Real”

After standing for decades as a towering reminder of unrealised ambition, the Enyimba International Hotel on Ogbor Hill, Aba, is set for revival and Abia leaders are already describing it as a defining moment in Abia’s development journey.

At the official flag-off ceremony held on February 25, 2026, Governor Alex Otti launched the reconstruction of the historic hotel, this time in partnership with Radisson Blu, a globally recognised hospitality brand.

Reacting to the development, former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu, described the event as powerful proof that “the New Abia is real.”

The Enyimba International Hotel was originally conceived in 1979 under the old Imo State administration led by Sam Mbakwe. Designed as a 125-room, seven-storey five-star hospitality masterpiece, it was envisioned as a flagship symbol of economic strength in the South-East.

However, following the creation of Abia State in 1991 and the redistribution of assets from the old Imo State, the ambitious project was inherited but never completed.

For 46 years, the imposing structure remained a silent monument to interrupted vision, a constant reminder of what could have been.

In his signed statement, Ude Oko Chukwu praised Governor Otti as a “quintessential jinx breaker,” arguing that the revival of Enyimba International Hotel demonstrates a deliberate shift in governance mindset.

According to him, development must extend beyond road construction and basic infrastructure to include strategic investments that enhance investor confidence and stimulate economic ecosystems.

He emphasized that partnering with an internationally respected hospitality brand sends a clear message that Abia is positioning itself for global standards.

“The new Abia is real,” he declared, describing the flag-off as one of the most significant indicators of sustainable economic direction in the state.

Aba, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most vibrant commercial hubs, stands to benefit significantly from a fully operational international-standard hotel.

Stakeholders within the business community believe the reconstruction could:

-Attract international conferences and corporate events

-Boost tourism and hospitality revenue

-Create direct and indirect employment opportunities

-Enhance the city’s image among investors

-Strengthen Aba’s competitiveness in regional commerce

For many residents, the revival represents hope, hope that long-abandoned projects can be completed, that public-private partnerships can unlock growth, and that governance can transition from promise to performance.

Beyond its economic implications, the Enyimba project reflects a broader narrative: the transition from stalled ambition to execution.

After 46 years of waiting, the vision that began in 1979 is finally moving toward completion — and this time, stakeholders believe the ending may be different.

As construction begins under international partnership, the political and economic signals are clear: Abia is attempting to rewrite its development story.