NEWS
Abia Business Roundtable 2026: Gov. Alex Otti Leads Historic Government–Private Sector Dialogue to Unlock Investment, Drive Economic Transformation and Position Abia as Nigeria’s Next Investment Hub
By @TheKELVINATOR, The Eyes Opener News | March 05, 2026
The Abia State Government on Thursday convened the Abia Business Roundtable 2026, a high-level engagement platform aimed at deepening collaboration between government and the organised private sector to stimulate investment, promote sustainable economic growth and fast-track the State’s economic transformation.
The strategic roundtable, themed “Government Meets Business: Where Vision Meets Enterprise,” brought together captains of industry, development partners, financial institutions and key stakeholders across critical sectors of the economy for an intensive dialogue on the future of investment and enterprise in the State.
The event was chaired by the Governor of Abia State, Alex Chioma Otti, who also serves as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Investment Promotion Office, the agency responsible for facilitating investment partnerships and economic collaboration in the State.
The gathering, which held at the International Conference Center (ICC), Umuahia marked a significant milestone in the State’s efforts to build a vibrant investment ecosystem by aligning government policies with the expectations and realities of the private sector.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otti, who titled his keynote address “Opportunities, Partnership and Prosperity,” explained that the Abia Business Roundtable was deliberately designed to ensure that government policies reflect the expectations of private sector stakeholders who are central to economic growth and job creation.
Declaring emphatically that Abia is open for business, the Governor noted that the insights generated from the breakout sessions and panel discussions would be critically evaluated and incorporated into the State’s policy framework.
“The overarching goal is to create a body of public sector policies that are aligned to the genuine expectations of the Private Sector Stakeholders,” he said.
Governor Otti explained that his administration deliberately chose to play a leading role in rebuilding the State’s economic foundations in order to attract private investment and restore confidence among investors and entrepreneurs.
According to him, although the global debate on the role of government in economic management remains unresolved, his administration has adopted a pragmatic middle path that prioritises incentives, infrastructure development and economic stability instead of direct government control of business operations.
He emphasized that government’s primary responsibility is to create a predictable system that protects investors’ interests and guarantees long-term economic stability.
“At any rate, we hold strongly to the view that there is a clear role for government in business, but we are also reluctant to agree that it is the obligation of government to directly run business.
“The express role of the government is to create a system of incentives that sends definite signals to investors that their legitimate interests can be protected over the long haul within the territory,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor further revealed that upon assumption of office, his administration conducted a comprehensive assessment of the key challenges limiting private sector participation in the State’s economy.
According to him, poor road infrastructure, insecurity, unreliable power supply and the burden of multiple taxation were identified as the major obstacles discouraging investors and entrepreneurs from operating effectively within the State.
Governor Otti stressed that restoring hope and rebuilding business confidence remains one of the central missions of his administration.
To achieve this, he disclosed that the State has committed more than 80 per cent of its annual budgets in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to capital projects, particularly road infrastructure, aimed at unlocking economic corridors and improving ease of doing business.
He also revealed that the government introduced a six-month tax holiday for small businesses to reduce entry barriers, stimulate productivity and encourage enterprise growth across the State.
According to the Governor, the prompt payment of workers and contractors has also been adopted as a deliberate policy to stimulate economic circulation and boost local productivity.
Looking ahead, he disclosed that during a recent State Executive Council retreat, real estate development, solid minerals, hospitality and ICT were identified as the next major growth frontiers for Abia’s economy.
He reiterated the State’s strong interest in expanding manufacturing and agriculture, particularly through value addition across cultivation, storage, processing and export chains.
Governor Otti assured investors that his administration would continue to deepen infrastructure development and human capital investment while encouraging them to engage closely with the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office to facilitate seamless collaboration.
In her goodwill message, former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Nonye Rajis-Okpara, commended Governor Otti’s leadership credibility and strategic economic vision.
She recalled his role in strengthening investor confidence during his distinguished banking career at Diamond Bank, noting that his reputation for professionalism and financial discipline earned the respect of international business partners.
Rajis-Okpara explained that his engagement with Singaporean stakeholders helped reposition Nigeria as a viable investment destination during his banking years.
She reaffirmed her commitment to leveraging her international networks to attract investors to Abia State, particularly in mechanised agriculture and agro-processing, with the aim of establishing sustainable enterprises capable of generating employment and long-term economic prosperity.
Also speaking at the event, the National Team Lead of the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), Ifeanyi Ugwuoke, disclosed that the organisation has developed a comprehensive Guide to Accessing Climate Finance to support governments and environmentally responsible businesses seeking to secure global climate funding.
Ugwuoke revealed that Abia State has already conducted a climate finance readiness assessment, with five businesses matched with potential investors, positioning the State as a leading participant in emerging green economy initiatives such as electric mobility and climate-smart enterprise development.
Speaking on behalf of the Aba business community, prominent industrialist, Chief David Ogba-Onuoha (Bourdex) commended Governor Otti for creating a platform that strengthens collaboration between government and the private sector.
He noted that the infrastructure development initiatives and policy reforms implemented by the State Government have sent a clear signal to investors that Abia is ready for business.
Ogba-Onuoha stressed that sustainable economic prosperity depends largely on an enabling environment driven by transparency, fiscal discipline and investor confidence.
He urged the government to deepen its focus on industrial clusters, technology-driven enterprises and modern infrastructure, which he said are essential to unlocking Aba’s enormous potential as a manufacturing and innovation hub in West Africa.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, Mr. Chinedum Chijioke, described the roundtable as a practical engagement designed to refine government policies, eliminate barriers to investment and establish long-term partnerships capable of delivering shared prosperity.
Chijioke assured investors that the PPP and Investment Promotion Office would continue to mitigate risks, streamline approval processes, strengthen investor after-care services and ensure the sustainable delivery of investment projects.
The Abia Business Roundtable 2026 featured a series of breakout sessions focusing on strategic sectors critical to the State’s economic transformation, as well as an interactive question-and-answer session between stakeholders and Governor Otti, further reinforcing the administration’s commitment to open dialogue, transparency and inclusive economic growth.
The event is widely regarded as a defining step in the State Government’s broader strategy to transform Abia into one of Nigeria’s 
most competitive and investment-friendly economic destinations.