Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has launched a ₦306 million tech-enabling business grant called NKATA to support businesses across all 17 LGAS of the State.

Speaking while receiving the management team of the Abia State Technology Skills Acquisition Centre, (ATSAC), and unveiling the project, Governor Alex Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and creating sustainable economic opportunities for the youths of the State.

Governor Otti reiterated that the initiative was deliberately designed to accommodate different categories of beneficiaries across the State to ensure inclusiveness and wider access to economic opportunities.

The State Chief Executive noted that a total sum of ₦306 million has been earmarked for the beneficiaries, and maintained that they must meet up with the requirements for benefiting from the project and expressed the hope that the intervention would yield positive results.

“I want to congratulate everyone. The ₦306 million is available, but beneficiaries must meet all the necessary conditions.

“In a few months’ time, I want to hear that this intervention has yielded results, not just in monetary terms, but in job creation, poverty reduction, and empowerment of our people,” Governor Otti stated

The Governor said that the programme aligns with his administration’s vision of building a productive, self-reliant and innovation-driven economy, saying that government has gone forth and back on the issue and is now convinced that it would help to support the youths.

He explained that his administration deliberately chose to invest in productive ventures capable of generating long-term economic value, instead of funding mere consumption.

“We have gone forth and back on this, and we are convinced that this is one of the ways to support and help our people,” Governor Otti stated.

“The easiest way to spend money is to give it to people who consume it, but we will receive value when it is invested, and that investment will yield returns. This is our own way of intervening,” Gov. Otti said.

Governor Otti further disclosed that the grant project forms part of broader economic empowerment initiatives of his administration targeted at equipping Abians with relevant skills and support to become self-reliant and employers of labour.

The Governor said that the goal is to support and train Abia people so that they can become self-reliant and employers on their own, and urged them to utilise the opportunity responsibly by expanding their businesses, creating jobs and contributing meaningfully to the economic growth and development of Abia State.

Presenting the project earlier, the Director-General, Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ATSAC), Mr Peter Ukonu,
described the programme as a strategic intervention aimed at supporting businesses, reducing poverty and creating employment opportunities across the State.

He explains that the NKATA, which adopts a different structure by deploying support through technology providers, rather than giving cash, was deliberately designed to ensure that technology resources are utilised for business expansion and productivity rather than diverted to other personal expenditures.

“We are not giving cash to businesses directly. We are actually doing so through technology service providers,” Ukonu added.

He said that the programme brings together business technology service providers and mentors to drive digital tools, automation and AI, adding that the goal is to help Abia businesses move from survival to growth, improve productivity, create jobs and build a new generation of technology-enabling businesses.

Mr. Ukonu, who revealed that technology companies, software firms, hardware suppliers and internet providers would participate as service providers, while mentors, including those in the diaspora, would guide businesses in developing viable proposals and matching technological needs with solutions, explained that those eligible for the scheme are all Abia residents, who do business and pay taxes in Abia.

The Chief of Staff to Abia state Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba says Governor Alex Otti is intentional about transforming Abia from a production hub into a globally respected manufacturing brand.

Pastor Ajagba stated this shortly  during the flagging-off ceremony of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Competitiveness and Industrial Productivity Programme (MCIPP) Quality Assurance Assessors (QAA) Training Programme, held at the new main auditorium of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba.

While reiterating that Governor Otti’s initiative to rebrand and improve the quality of made in Aba products, Pastor Ajagba disclosed that the training of Quality Assurance Assessors represents a bold and deliberate step in the journey to reposition the State, especially Aba, as the hub of excellence in fashion, garment and leather production in the nation and across Africa.

He said that the state government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for enterprise growth through infrastructure development, policy support, access to finance and quality standardisation.

The Chief of Staff appreciated the partners and facilitators of the project, including Ethnocentrique Limited and MasterCard Foundation for their collaboration and technical expertise, and reminded the trainees that the success of the initiative depends largely on their commitment, discipline and integrity in applying what they would learn, while urging MSME operators to embrace the process.

In his speech, the MCIPP Team Lead, Adedapo Conde, while describing the Quality Assurance Assessors Program as a critical component of the MCIPP, designed to strengthen the skills ecosystem and support the transformation of Aba into a globally recognized skills delivery and export hub, explained that the event will also provide an opportunity for the MCIPP Team to engage directly with participants, offering deeper insights into the program and other strategic initiatives of the State Government aimed at supporting the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs.

Mr. Conde lauded Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and support, noting that Ethnocentrique Limited remains fully committed to partnering with the state government to realise its vision of positioning Aba as a globally recognised skills delivery and export hub.

The flag-off ceremony which attracted the presence of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry and SMEs, Mrs Chinwe Kalu Uba, Rector, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Dr Christopher Okoro, among other notable individuals featured the presentation of CAC and SMEDAN certificates to business owners.

In a bold move to accelerate economic transformation and attract strategic investments, the Abia State Government has convened a high-level Business Roundtable, bringing together policymakers, investors, and captains of industry to chart a new course for sustainable economic growth.

The maiden Abia Business Roundtable 2026, themed “Government Meets Business: Where Vision Meets Enterprise,” held  at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube, Umuahia, served as a direct engagement platform between government and the private sector.

Declaring the event open, the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, announced that the state is fully open for serious-minded entrepreneurs and investors ready to partner in building a thriving economy.

Governor Otti explained that the roundtable forms part of his administration’s deliberate strategy to strengthen collaboration with the business community and create policies that will drive sustainable economic growth through a private sector-led economy.

Speaking on the theme “Opportunities, Partnership and Prosperity,” the governor assured investors that Abia offers enormous opportunities for profitable investment across multiple sectors.
“Our interest is extensively on value addition. We are open to engage further with anyone who has what it takes to support our development vision from the standpoint of value creation,” Otti said.
“The summary of my presentation is that investing in Abia offers an extensive bouquet of benefits.”

He highlighted the significant investments his administration has made in infrastructure and human capital development, noting that such investments are designed to create a solid foundation for businesses to thrive.
“We have continued to invest in infrastructure and human capital development, and the trajectory of the state is no longer up for speculation,” the governor stated.
“Our goal is to grow the economy by incentivising investments on multiple frontlines, and I am glad to see several well-known players represented here.”
Governor Otti further stressed that restoring confidence in the business environment requires deliberate improvements in road infrastructure, security, and other critical enablers that support enterprise growth.
He also pointed out that Abia possesses several competitive advantages including favourable tax policies, improved security architecture, large markets, predictable income levels among urban households, and a vast pool of skilled and unskilled labour.
Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribeole, said the state has embarked on a deliberate reform journey anchored on four key pillars — transparency, institutional discipline, infrastructural renewal, and private sector-led economic growth.
According to him, the business roundtable was not a ceremonial gathering but a practical platform designed to deepen dialogue between government and investors.
“Sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved by government pronouncements alone. It requires alignment between policy, investment capital, governance, and enterprise,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Public Private Partnerships and Investment Promotion Office, Chinedu Chijioke, who convened the event, said the roundtable was organised to hear directly from investors and stakeholders on how to build a more competitive business environment.
He emphasised that the Abia State Government remains committed to creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives, industries expand, and businesses scale regionally and globally from the “New Abia.”
“Public-private dialogue is not optional; it is essential to shaping reforms for a more prosperous business environment,” Chijioke stated.
The roundtable also witnessed expressions of investment interest from industry players. The Director of Kojo Motors Nigeria, representing the Chery automobile brand, Chukwudolu Umeobi, revealed that the company is exploring a partnership with the Abia State Government to establish an electric vehicle assembly plant under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
He explained that the initiative would improve transportation and logistics while supporting environmental sustainability through reduced carbon emissions.
In a related contribution, the National Team Leader of the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), Ifeanyi Ugwuoke, underscored the need for increased financing to address climate change mitigation and adaptation, while commending the governor’s Green Shuttle initiative aimed at promoting eco-friendly transportation.
Goodwill messages were delivered by business leaders including David Ogba Onuoha, who spoke on behalf of the Aba business community, and former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Nonye Rajis Okpara. Both applauded the governor for convening the roundtable, noting that the signals coming from Abia are increasingly encouraging for investors.
In his vote of thanks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on PPP and Investment Promotion, J. N. Green-Amakwe, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and commitment to building an enabling environment for businesses.
The Business Roundtable featured technical presentations and interactive sessions with the governor and his economic management team, attracting dignitaries, investors, and industry leaders from across Nigeria.
The event marks a significant step in Abia State’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a premier destination for investment and inclusive economic prosperity.