By Peter Okore, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced plans by his administration to establish an Entertainment City in Aba, aimed at providing world-class infrastructure and facilities for filmmakers, creative professionals, and investors in the entertainment industry.
Governor Otti disclosed this on Saturday, June 13, 2026, while receiving a delegation of Nollywood practitioners led by Mr. Francis Ifeakandu, producer of the upcoming film, The Chronicles of Enyimba City, at his office in Umuahia.
The governor said the state government had already commenced the necessary processes to actualise the project, including land acquisition and payment of compensation to affected property owners.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the creative industry and positioning Abia as a leading hub for film production, entertainment, tourism, and cultural promotion.
Governor Otti commended the film production team for its resilience, creativity, and dedication to showcasing the rich cultural heritage, history, and development of Abia State, particularly Aba, popularly known as the Enyimba City.
He described the decision to produce a film centred on Aba as timely and consistent with his administration’s vision of promoting investment, tourism, and economic growth through the creative sector.
While noting that the government may not directly finance private film projects, Otti assured the delegation that his administration would continue to provide the necessary support and enabling environment for the growth of the entertainment industry in the state.
“Government will continue to provide an enabling environment and work with stakeholders to ensure that initiatives capable of promoting Abia and creating opportunities for our people succeed,” the governor stated.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and producer of The Chronicles of Enyimba City, Mr. Francis Ifeakandu, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his support for the project and his transformative leadership across the state.
He informed the governor that the production team had successfully conducted auditions in all 17 local government areas of Abia State and extended the exercise to neighbouring states and major cities.
According to Ifeakandu, the project, which industry consultants describe as one of the largest film productions in Africa, is designed to tell the story of Abia, promote its culture, and project a positive image of the state to the global audience.
He revealed that the film features more than 2,000 cast members and is structured into six seasons, with five episodes per season, highlighting various aspects of the state’s history, culture, tourism potential, and developmental achievements.
The producer also commended Governor Otti’s infrastructural accomplishments, particularly the transformation of key roads and public facilities. He noted that members of the Nollywood team who had not visited Abia in many years were impressed by the remarkable changes they observed during their tour of the state.
Ifeakandu appealed for continued government support towards the successful completion of the project, stressing that the film would help restore Abia’s historical prominence in Nigeria’s film industry, create employment opportunities, and attract investments to the state.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of gifts to Governor Otti by members of the delegation in recognition of his support and leadership.