Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has called on local and international investors to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities in Abia State, particularly the ongoing Medical City Project and the Abia Industrial and Innovative Park (AIIP), which are designed by his administration to reverse medical tourism, stimulate industrial growth, and accelerate economic development.
Governor Otti made the call on Monday, June 8, at Invest Lagos 3.0, the third edition of the flagship international investment summit hosted by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
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 across the world.
While addressing participants during the investment pitches by invited State Governors, moderated by Zain Asher, CNN correspondent, Governor Otti said that the State needed more investment in her healthcare sector, noting that Abia’s healthcare sector has consistently received 15% of the annual budget of the State Government in the last 3 years, only second to education that received the highest allocation of 20%.
“Today we have been rated as the most health-prepared State (SBM, 2025 Report). That’s looking at how much money we have allocated per capita on healthcare. In the last 3 years, we have allocated 15% of our budget to healthcare.
“We have about 277 Primary Healthcare Centers that we have refurbished, and about 135 of them have been functionalized. We’ll keep functionalizing them as we get all the materials and the healthcare professionals.
“We have hired about 800 healthcare Professionals; some of them came from outside the State to work in Abia State. We have about 7 General Hospitals that we are rebuilding. And, we have the tertiary hospitals – the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba, the Specialist Hospital in Amachara, and the one in Umunnato.
“Where do we need help? We need help in our vision to build a Medical City. We have acquired 200 hectares for it. We have prepared it; we’ve built the road. But we need about 1.3 Billion dollars to put that in place,” Governor Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive explained that the idea is to reverse medical tourism and get at least 200 million dollars out of the about 2 billion dollars that Nigerians spend annually on medical treatments abroad.
On the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) he said, “Another Area we need investment is in the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park… The Industrial Park is in Owaza where we have oil and gas,” Gov. Otti disclosed, stating that he will engage more with AFREXIM Bank, whose presentation at the summit dwelt more on investment in the building and development of Industrial Parks.
Governor Otti used the platform to highlight some of the key people-centered achievements of his administration, including the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of 414 roads spanning about 864 kilometres, as well as ongoing work on 82 additional roads covering approximately 211 kilometres across the State.
The Governor drew the attention of investors to the enterprising and resilient nature of Abia people, noting that the State possesses a vibrant population with exceptional entrepreneurial capacity, capable of producing almost anything when provided with an enabling environment, especially reliable power supply.
He also spoke on the ongoing transformation of the major commercial hubs in the State, including the reconstruction of Ekeoha Market and the comprehensive modernization of Ariaria International Market, alongside other strategic markets.
Governor Otti further highlighted the restoration of near 24-hour power supply within the Aba ring-fenced area, covering nine local government areas. He explained that his administration, working closely with the Federal Government through the Office of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, successfully resolved longstanding challenges that delayed the take-off of the multi-million-dollar Geometric Power Project in Aba for many years.
Governor Otti informed the participants that discussions have also advanced with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to replicate the Aba power model in Umuahia and the remaining parts of the State. He added that the establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency is part of a broader strategy to achieve stable electricity supply across the State and get the State completely off the national grid.
“We believe that Geometric, at maximum capacity of 188 megawatts, would have excess capacity, and we can just wheel it to Umuahia and other parts of the State. And by God’s grace, in a few years, we should also guarantee 24 hours power supply in Umuahia and other local Governments.
“Now, why does this matter? It matters because a lot of manufacturers and industries, about 60-70% of their costs are in power and energy.
“I got a call from somebody yesterday that wanted to relocate a steel plant that had been built in another State.
“He is looking for where he can be guaranteed 24 hours of power supply, and I said, please come.
I have already allocated five hectares of land for the plant to be close to Geometric. So, the plant is going to move,” Governor Otti disclosed.
The Governor equally talked about the launch of 20 electric buses in December last year, currently plying the whole State, with an additional 20, currently on their way to Abia from China, making it 40 electric buses with more to come in the coming months until the 100 target is achieved by the end of the year.
In the last 3 years, Abia has rapidly emerged as an attractive investment destination under Governor Otti’s intentional leadership. In the agricultural sector alone, the State has attracted over $320 million in investments, with Presco Plc committing over $200 million to oil palm development and processing, while Nimble Shaw is committing about $120 million to similar investments.
KADJI Group, the parent company of Ultimum Limited, producers of razzle drinks, is investing about $100 million in their production facility in Aba, launched earlier this year with an initial investment valued at over $30 million. Governor Otti’s administration recently acquired the moribund Star Paper Mill Limited and the previously underutilized Afro Beverages facility in Aba from the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), which investors are in advanced talks for full takeover from the Government.
The State is jointly developing an Airport project with the Federal Government. The runway being handled by the State Government is speedily progressing.
Governor Otti also recently approved the commencement of a feasibility study for the development of a proposed seaport in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the State. The move forms part of a broader economic strategy to position Abia as a major gateway for trade, commerce, and industrial development in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria.
The number one citizen of Abia State, thanked his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for accommodating other States in the Invest Lagos 3.0 summit to showcase the investment opportunities in their States and engage directly with the global investment community. He said that it may look simple, but “the truth is that, it takes a lot of selflessness” to do so.
The high-powered investment summit attracted an array of distinguished dignitaries, including the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, who delivered the keynote address; Hon Shirley Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); and Lord Marland, Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
Also in attendance were the Governors of Imo State, Nasarawa State, Plateau State, Enugu State, and Akwa Ibom State, alongside heads of global institutions, country representatives, federal ministers, and other key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
