Abia State Governor Alex Otti says the state is gradually moving beyond its traditional trading economy, with his administration placing greater emphasis on manufacturing, technology and digital commerce.
Otti made this known on Monday in Umuahia during the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The event, themed “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo,” focused on issues surrounding the economic and social development of the South-East.
Speaking on the changing nature of business, Otti said Abia and the wider Igbo community could no longer depend solely on conventional physical markets as global commerce increasingly moves online.
He said the state was working to strengthen manufacturing while helping businesses adopt digital methods that would allow them to reach customers beyond their immediate environment.
“We are leaving that level of trading. In Abia, we have markets. The markets are important. But we are moving from that level of marketing to manufacturing,” Otti said.
The governor said his administration was also promoting digital delivery, describing the shift as part of the broader transformation taking place in global commerce.
“So, this government is supporting manufacturing and driving digital delivery. We are leaving that physical store for digital delivery. So, when somebody talked about Alibaba, that is exactly where we are headed,” he said.
Otti made the remarks while responding to concerns about the growing presence of Chinese traders in Nigeria’s retail sector, particularly in Lagos, where some Igbo entrepreneurs have traditionally operated.
Rather than viewing the development solely as a competition over physical retail spaces, the governor said Abia’s strategy was to move businesses into areas with greater opportunities for production and technology-enabled commerce.
He said digital platforms could allow entrepreneurs in Abia to sell beyond Nigeria and compete in international markets without being restricted by the location of their physical shops.
“Abia is both manufacturing and then trading. But we are moving from conventional trading to digital trading. That is where the world is going. You either embrace it, or you risk being left behind,” Otti said.
The governor also highlighted his administration’s investment in digital skills, particularly for young people in the state.
According to him, some young Abians trained through the government’s TechRise initiative have already secured jobs with global technology companies while working from Aba.
He said developing these skills would help position young people to take advantage of opportunities created by the digital economy rather than depending entirely on traditional forms of employment.
Otti also reaffirmed his administration’s support for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and described the theme of the celebration, “Njikọ Ka,” meaning “Unity is Supreme,” as appropriate.
He said unity remained important to the development of the Igbo people, particularly in a society where different interests and perspectives must work together toward common goals.
The governor maintained that his administration had established a foundation for further development in Abia and expressed confidence that the state would continue to experience significant transformation.
