THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GOVERNOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU ADMINISTRATION IN UMUAHIA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE 2015-2023

This study critically examines the economic impact of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration (2015–2023) on Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State, Nigeria. It explores how governance decisions and development policies affected key economic sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and internally generated revenue (IGR). Anchored in both primary and secondary data, the study adopts a comparative approach by evaluating the socio-economic conditions in Umuahia North before and during Ikpeazu’s tenure, with particular attention to shifts in public service delivery and economic productivity. The findings reveal that while the administration achieved notable progress in infrastructural development, educational facility upgrades, and SME empowerment, it fell short in addressing persistent challenges such as high unemployment, poverty, and fiscal overdependence on federal allocations. The research also uncovers gaps in policy continuity and revenue diversification, which hampered broader economic transformation. Nevertheless, Ikpeazu’s administration laid important foundations for future growth through expanded road networks, community outreach, and increased government presence. The study concludes that genuine economic progress requires not only infrastructure but also the empowerment of human capital and sustained policy commitment. Recommendations include institutionalizing project continuity, expanding job creation initiatives, innovating revenue generation strategies, and investing in skill development. This research contributes to the broader discourse on subnational governance, developmental accountability, and sustainable economic planning in Nigeria.