ABIA – Governor Alex Otti says the state is rapidly emerging as a conducive destination for investment, driven by a wave of policy reforms, improved infrastructure, strengthened institutional frameworks and growing investor commitments since the inception of his administration.
Governor Otti made this known during the Abia Think Tank Association (ATTA) Symposium 2026, themed “Renewed Nigeria’s Economic Resurgence: Is Abia Prepared?”, held at the Bola Memorial Hall, Lagos State. He noted that these developments are clear indicators of rising investor confidence in the state’s economy, with visible progress recorded across multiple sectors.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, disclosed that the state has made steady progress in improving the ease of doing business through key reforms. He noted that his administration has simplified licensing and regulatory processes through a one-stop digital portal, reduced bureaucracy, strengthened transparency and maintained fiscal discipline and policy consistency to boost investor confidence.
He added that reforms in land administration now allow Certificates of Occupancy to be issued within 30 days, with over 4,000 already delivered between June 2023 and March 2026, exceeding previous records.
The governor identified reliable power supply and improved security as central to the state’s drive for industrialization and investment growth. He disclosed that the Aba ring-fenced zone now enjoys stable electricity through Geometric Power, significantly reducing the cost of doing business and supporting MSMEs. He also revealed ongoing plans to acquire a majority stake in Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and expand renewable energy solutions.
He further stated that his administration has strengthened security through strategic initiatives, including the Abia State Security Trust Fund Law and the Security Advisory Council, ensuring the protection of lives and property and positioning Abia as one of the safest states in the South-East.
Governor Otti explained that his administration has also made major progress in infrastructure development and governance reforms, with over 1,000 kilometres of roads built or rehabilitated, improved transport systems, enhanced electricity supply and expanded broadband connectivity. These, he said, are reducing the cost of doing business and boosting economic activity.
He noted that ongoing civil service reforms in the state are focused on strengthening public institutions, improving transparency and accountability, digitizing government services to enhance citizen participation and boosting overall efficiency in the public service.
The governor also announced the signing of the Abia State 25-Year Development Plan (2025–2050), a legally backed long-term framework designed to ensure continuity, drive economic transformation, and position Abia as an industrial and commercial hub.
According to him, these reforms, combined with improved infrastructure, governance systems and investment-friendly policies, demonstrate that Abia has entered a new phase of sustainable development and is now well-positioned to attract and sustain economic growth under reform-driven leadership.
Governor Otti further commended the President of ATTA, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, for his outstanding and selfless contributions to humanity, as well as for actively supporting his administration’s efforts towards the holistic transformation of the state’s social and economic landscape across multiple sectors.
