Otti takes Abia’s investment opportunities to global investors, woos foreign capital

By Peter Okore, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has taken the state’s vast investment opportunities to the global investment community as part of a broader economic strategy to position Abia as a major gateway for trade, commerce and industrial development in Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions.

Otti made the pitch on Monday at the Invest Lagos 3.0 International Investment Summit, hosted by the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

The high-profile summit attracted prominent dignitaries, including Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, who delivered the keynote address; Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey; Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene; and Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Marland.

The summit, themed “Lagos: Business Gateway to Africa – Powering Africa’s Next Era of Trade, Talent and Global Economic Leadership,” brought together investors, policymakers and business leaders from around the world. Governors from Abia, Imo, Nasarawa, Plateau, Enugu and Akwa Ibom states also attended, alongside heads of international institutions, country representatives, federal ministers and key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

Speaking during the investment pitch session, Governor Otti called on local and international investors to take advantage of the opportunities available in Abia, particularly the proposed Medical City Project and the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP), which he said are designed to reverse medical tourism, stimulate industrialisation and accelerate economic growth.

Highlighting developments in the healthcare sector, Otti said Abia has consistently allocated 15 per cent of its annual budget to healthcare over the past three years, second only to education, which receives 20 per cent.

“Today, we have been rated the most health-prepared state in Nigeria according to the SBM 2025 Report. In the last three years, we have allocated 15 per cent of our budget to healthcare.

“We have refurbished 277 primary healthcare centres, while 135 have already been fully functionalised. We have also recruited about 800 healthcare professionals, some of whom relocated from outside the state.

“In addition, we are rebuilding seven general hospitals and strengthening our tertiary healthcare institutions, including the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba, the Specialist Hospital in Amachara and the facility in Umunnato,” the governor said.

Seeking Investment in Medical City, Industrial Park

Otti disclosed that the state requires investment support for its proposed Medical City project.

“We have acquired and prepared 200 hectares of land for the project and constructed access roads. However, we require about $1.3 billion to bring the vision to reality.

“The objective is to reverse medical tourism and retain part of the estimated $2 billion Nigerians spend annually on medical treatment abroad,” he said.

The governor also identified the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park located in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area, as another major investment destination.

“The industrial park is situated in our oil and gas corridor. We are looking at strategic partnerships and investment opportunities that will unlock its full potential,” he added.

Infrastructure, Power and Industrial Growth

Governor Otti used the forum to showcase some of the achievements of his administration, including the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of 414 roads covering approximately 864 kilometres across the state, as well as ongoing work on 82 additional roads spanning over 211 kilometres.

He described Abians as highly entrepreneurial and resilient, noting that the state’s workforce and business community can thrive with the right infrastructure, especially reliable electricity.

The governor also highlighted the ongoing reconstruction of Ekeoha Market and the modernisation of Ariaria International Market, alongside improvements in other strategic commercial centres.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Otti during the summit

On power supply, Otti said his administration had restored near 24-hour electricity within the Aba ring-fenced area, covering nine local government areas, through the successful operationalisation of the Geometric Power Project.

According to him, discussions are at an advanced stage with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to replicate the Aba model in Umuahia and other parts of the state.

“We have established the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency as part of our broader plan to achieve stable electricity supply across the state and eventually reduce dependence on the national grid.

“We believe Geometric Power, at its full capacity of 188 megawatts, will generate excess power that can be transmitted to Umuahia and other parts of the state. By God’s grace, we hope to achieve 24-hour power supply across Abia within a few years,” he said.

Otti revealed that access to reliable power had already begun attracting industrial investments.

“I received a call from an investor who wants to relocate a steel plant from another state to Abia because of our stable power supply. We have already allocated five hectares of land close to Geometric Power for the facility,” he disclosed.

Expanding Transport and Attracting Investments

Vice president Kashim Shettima, Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gov Alex Otti, Gov Hope Uzodimma, others during the summit

The governor also highlighted the state’s investment in green transportation, noting that 20 electric buses launched in December are currently operating across Abia, while another 20 are being shipped from China.

He said the state aims to deploy 100 electric buses before the end of the year.

According to Otti, Abia has attracted significant investments in agriculture and manufacturing over the past three years.

He disclosed that Presco Plc has committed more than $200 million to oil palm development and processing, while Nimble Shaw is investing approximately $120 million in similar projects.

In the manufacturing sector, KADJI Group, parent company of Ultimum Limited, producers of Razzl drinks, is investing about $100 million in a production facility in Aba, with an initial phase valued at over $30 million already launched.

The governor further revealed that the state government recently acquired the moribund Star Paper Mill Limited and the underutilised Afro Beverages facility in Aba from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), with discussions ongoing with prospective investors interested in taking over the facilities.

He added that the state is collaborating with the Federal Government on the development of an airport project, while a feasibility study has also been approved for a proposed seaport in Ukwa East Local Government Area.

According to Otti, the seaport project forms part of the state’s long-term strategy to establish Abia as a major trade, logistics and industrial hub in the region.

The governor thanked his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for providing a platform for other states to showcase their investment opportunities and engage directly with the international investment community.