Abia is open for business, Otti declares at business roundtable

Alex OttI, governor of Abia State, has declared that the state is open for business for serious-minded entrepreneurs and investors.

The governor made the declaration during the maiden Business Roundtable organised by the Abia State Public Private Partnerships and Investments Promotion (PPP & IP) Office with the theme “Vision Meets Enterprise.”

The business roundtable, which was held at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube, Umuahia, is part of the intentional efforts of Governor Otti’s administration to strengthen collaboration between government and the private sector. It is aimed at engaging directly with the private sector, targeting feedback that would shape policies that would drive sustainable economic growth and development of the State through a private sector-led economy.

In his speech titled “Opportunities, Partnership and Prosperity,” Governor Otti said that investing in Abia State offers an extensive bouquet of opportunities and benefits for investors.

“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.

“The summary of my presentation is that investing in Abia offers an extensive bouquet of benefits,” Otti stated.

He explained that his administration has continued to invest heavily in infrastructure and human capital development, stressing that the aim is to grow the State’s economy by incentivizing investments across multiple sectors.

“We have continued to invest in infrastructure and human capital development, and the trajectory of the state is no longer up for speculation.

“Our goal is to grow the economy by incentivizing investments on multiple frontlines, and I am glad to see several well-known players represented here,” Governor Otti added.

Otti further emphasized that restoring confidence in businesses requires deliberate investments in road infrastructure, security, and other factors that create a conducive business environment.

The governor noted that Abia State possesses several competitive advantages including favourable tax policies, a robust security network, large markets, predictable income levels for many urban households, and a high concentration of skilled and unskilled labour that you can’t find elsewhere.

Emmanuel Meribole, secretary to the state government, in his speech, stated that Abia State has embarked on a deliberate reform journey anchored on four key pillars: transparency, institutional discipline, infrastructural renewal, and private sector–led growth.

The SSG noted that the business roundtable was not merely ceremonial but designed as a practical platform for dialogue between government and the private sector to drive economic transformation in the state.

“Sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved by government pronouncements alone. It requires alignment between policy, investment capital, governance, and enterprise,” Otti declared.

Chinedu Chijioke, director general and chief executive officer, PPP & IP Office, who convened the event, said that the roundtable was organised to hear directly from stakeholders and investors.

He noted that the Abia State Government is committed to building a business environment 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.

Also contributing, Chukwudolu Umeobi, director, Kojo Motors Nigeria (representing Chery Automobile Brand), disclosed that the company is interested in partnering with the Abia State Government under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement to invest in the assembling of electric vehicles in the State.

He explained that the initiative would help improve transportation and logistics while supporting environmental sustainability through reduced carbon emissions.

Similarly, Ifeanyi Ugwuoke, national team leader, Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), emphasized the importance of climate change mitigation and adaptation, noting that adequate financing is required to address climate challenges.

He commended Governor Otti’s initiatives such as the Green Shuttle programme, which supports environmentally friendly transportation and climate resilience.

In their goodwill messages, David Ogba Onuoha, who spoke on behalf of the Aba Business Community, and Nonye Rajis Okpara, Nigeria’s former ambassador to Singapore, applauded the governor for convening the business roundtable, noting that the signals coming from Abia are encouraging for investors and businesses.

In a vote of thanks, J. N. Green-Amakwe, Special Adviser to the Governor on PPP & IP, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, while positioning Abia as a destination for global investment.

The business roundtable featured technical presentations and interactive sessions with the governor and attracted dignitaries, investors, and captains of industry from across the country.