Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has highlighted seven priority sectors and investment opportunities to drive industrialisation and economic development in the state.

Mr Otti made this known at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) “Meet the Governor Series” on Thursday in Lagos.

The ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‍⁠‍‌‌⁠‌event had the theme “Repositioning Abia for Enterprise, Industrialisation and Sustainable Economic Growth.”

The governor listed the priority sectors as agribusiness and agro-processing, trade and markets, creative and digital economy, and manufacturing and industrialisation.

Others are small and medium enterprise growth and the informal sector, inclusive finance, and diaspora investment and innovation.

He said the sectors were designed to leverage Abia’s productive base while creating opportunities for domestic and international capital.

Mr Otti, declaring Abia “open for business,” highlighted reforms in fiscal governance, infrastructure, human capital development and investment opportunities across key sectors.

According to him, the state’s 2026 budget of N1.016 trillion allocates 80 per cent to capital expenditure.

He said internally generated revenue, targeted at N223.4 billion, was expected to fund recurrent obligations.

Mr Otti said the approach was designed to channel external and private capital toward infrastructure and other growth-generating assets.

He noted that the state had also recorded progress in fiscal transparency, ranking fourth in the BudgIT States Fiscal Transparency League in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Mr Otti said infrastructure development remained central to the state’s strategy of opening up its economy to investors.

He said 414 roads had been completed across the state, while 82 others were ongoing.

The governor added that more than 10,000 solar-powered streetlights had been installed across Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.

“Enterprise needs infrastructure: roads move goods, light creates safety, and movement creates commerce. Abia is building the physical platform for investments,” he said.

Mr Otti said the state’s investment opportunities had been structured across different segments of the value chain.

He said investors could participate at the plantation, processing, manufacturing or off-take levels.

“Under agribusiness and agro-processing, we have identified integrated livestock ranching and dairy, cashew and cocoa plantations, as well as rubber estates and processing.

“In manufacturing and industrialisation, there are opportunities in garment manufacturing, ceramics production and leather and tannery works.

“This is particularly as opportunities exist to scale Aba’s artisan base into formal, higher-volume production,” he said.

Mr Otti also highlighted tourism and hospitality opportunities around Enyimba Hotels, Aba; Umuahia Recreational Park; and Ibom Waterfall.

According to him, opportunities in power, transport and logistics include utilities operation and maintenance and the Azumiri Seaport.

He described the seaport as a potential trade and logistics gateway.

Mr Otti further highlighted the Abia industrial innovation park and economic zone as opportunities for serviced enterprise, industrial and commercial development.

In healthcare, he identified the proposed Abia medical city, specialist hospital and diagnostic centre as opportunities for investment.

He said the projects would support integrated medical and wellness infrastructure in the state.

The governor stressed that investments in education and healthcare were also ongoing because of the workforce required to sustain economic growth.

The NBCC President, Abimbola Olashore, said Abia’s entrepreneurial spirit and Aba’s position as a centre for trade, manufacturing and indigenous enterprise provided a strong foundation for development.

Mr Olashore said the opportunity was to build on the strengths and create an environment where businesses could scale and industries thrive.

He said entrepreneurs also needed an environment that would enable them to formalise and grow.

Mr Olashore stressed that the business community’s ambition must be supported by confidence.

He stated, “Investors and businesses require clear and predictable policies, responsive institutions, quality infrastructure, security, access to markets and opportunities for meaningful partnership.

“This is why the relationship between government and the private sector is so important.

“Government creates the enabling environment; the private sector brings capital, innovation, expertise and enterprise. Together, they can create sustainable economic value.”

Mr Olashore reiterated NBCC’s commitment to serving as a bridge between business, government and opportunity.

He said meaningful dialogue must lead to meaningful action following a shared vision for growth and prosperity. 

(NAN)