Criteria                                                        Ranking
GDP (PPP)                                                     12 out of 36
Literacy level                                                 3 out of 36
Poverty level                                                  3 out of 36
Population                                                      15 out of 36
Number of institutions of higher education: 5 (Federal agric uni, Absu, Catholic uni, Abia poly and Orji Kalu uni)
(Uni and poly only)
Strong presence in other Nigerian states and also overseas (diaspora population that remit good money back home)

Industries  (not including thousands of SMEs in Aba):
Unilever Group has its subsidiary Company (Lever Brothers)
International Equitable
The Nigerian Breweries Ltd 
International Glass mill
International Textile Mill
Modern Ceramics Industry
PZ
Cadbury
NESTLE
VITAFOAM
Guiness
Golden-Guinea Breweries (makers of Bergedorf Beer)
Abia Palm Oil Company Ltd.
Ogwe Modern Poultry Farms
Cashew Complex
Oil and gas
 
Good presence of Banks. For eg, FBN alone has 13 branches in the state
Uncountable agric. produce
Markets and excellent wholesale and retail investments

So, the basis is there for development and Abia people have to take their leaders to task.