Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said his administration’s focus on technology and information and communication technology (ICT) has helped expand the state’s digital ecosystem and create new opportunities for businesses and young people.
Otti made the statement in Umuahia while speaking at the opening of the State-level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation (SPRIRET) stakeholder engagement programme.
The governor said the state had already established several policies and programmes aimed at creating an environment where technology businesses could develop, attract investment and contribute to economic activity.
According to him, the foundation for the current digital transformation drive was laid through policies introduced over the past few years.
He pointed to the State Dig Once Policy introduced in 2024, which was designed to regulate the installation of fibre-optic cables and underground infrastructure while protecting existing investments and reducing unnecessary costs for telecommunications companies and other stakeholders.
Otti also highlighted the Startup Law signed by the state, saying it was introduced to support technology-driven businesses through regulatory incentives and financial assistance for innovators, entrepreneurs and other participants in the ICT sector.
He said the government had also established a N2 billion startup support fund to help businesses with innovative ideas expand their operations, create employment and attract skilled workers into the state’s technology ecosystem.
Another initiative highlighted by the governor was the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ATSAC), which was established to provide technology training and develop the skills needed for the state’s growing digital economy.
He said the centre’s programmes place emphasis on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, chip design and robotics.
Otti also pointed to the N306 million Nkata technology-enabling business grant, which was launched to provide additional support to technology startups and business owners across Abia’s 17 local government areas. The programme is structured around technology support rather than simply handing beneficiaries cash, with technology providers and mentors involved in helping businesses improve their operations.
The governor said the initiative had already supported close to 100 businesses since its launch in May, while other businesses remained in line to benefit.
Otti also acknowledged the contribution of the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, who attended the event and engaged stakeholders on possible areas of cooperation.
He also appreciated former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, for what he described as support for the development of Abia.
The SPRIRET initiative is designed to support policy, regulatory and institutional reforms that can strengthen digital ecosystems and encourage investment in technology. It is being implemented in selected Nigerian states with support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The governor said Abia’s technology strategy was intended not only to increase digital access but also to create practical economic opportunities through skills development, entrepreneurship and investment.
He has also previously highlighted the TechRise programme, under which more than 2,200 young people have been trained in various ICT skills, alongside other initiatives such as ThriveAbia, Abia Digi-Upskill and Girls-in-ICT.
Otti said the state’s broader objective was to create an environment where technology could contribute to job creation, business expansion and economic development.
