NEWS
Gov. Alex Otti Launches ₦306 Million NKATA Technology Grant to Drive Digital Transformation and Empower Businesses Across 17 LGAs
The Abia State Government has officially launched the first phase of the NKATA Technology Enabling Business Grant, a landmark ₦306 million initiative aimed at empowering businesses with digital tools, automation systems and artificial intelligence-driven solutions to accelerate economic growth and innovation across the state.
The programme, which was approved by His Excellency Dr Alex Otti, OFR, commenced with seven pilot local government areas including Aba North, Aba South, Bende, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ohafia and Arochukwu, setting the stage for a wider statewide rollout that would eventually cover all 17 local government areas.
The NKATA initiative, an Abia State technology and AI-enabling business grant programme, is strategically designed to connect businesses with technology service providers and mentors in order to fast-track digital transformation and reposition local enterprises for competitiveness in the modern economy.
The initiative is expected to help businesses transition from survival mode to sustainable growth by improving productivity, creating employment opportunities and building a new generation of technology-enabled enterprises capable of competing in both local and global markets.
The official launch took place on Monday during a special enlarged Anniversary Executive Council meeting organised as part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.
Speaking during the event, Governor Otti commended the team at the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ATSAC) for conceptualising and developing the initiative, describing it as a bold and strategic intervention capable of transforming the business landscape of the state.
The Governor disclosed that the state government conducted careful assessments of the programme and its long-term economic impact before granting approval, noting that the initiative would provide a strong platform for innovative individuals and businesses to thrive.
Emphasising the importance of productive investments over short-term spending, Governor Otti stated that strategic investments in businesses and innovation remain one of the most sustainable ways to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty.
“The easiest way to spend this money is to give it to people who would consume it.
“That is still the same money when it is invested, and then the investment will yield returns. This is our own way of intervening,” Governor Otti said.
Governor Otti further explained that the NKATA initiative aligns with other innovation-driven programmes of his administration such as the TechRise programme and the Fashion Future initiative, both of which are focused on entrepreneurship development, digital skills and youth empowerment.
He described NKATA as a transformational vehicle that would help scale businesses across various sectors while delivering measurable economic outcomes in the areas of employment generation, poverty reduction and empowerment.
“On that note, I want to, on behalf of everyone, deliver this cheque; Technology Enabling Grant of 306 million Naira.
“I want to hear in a few months that this has yielded the required returns, not just in monetary terms, but in the jobs that it would have created, in the poverty level that would have been reduced significantly, and in the area of empowerment of all our people,” the governor said.
The Governor also assured that every local government area in Abia State would eventually benefit from the initiative as implementation expands beyond the pilot phase.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ATSAC), Peter Ukonu, described the NKATA programme as a strategic intervention deliberately designed to move businesses from mere survival to sustainable growth and expansion.
According to him, unlike conventional grant schemes that directly disburse funds to beneficiaries, the NKATA programme adopts a technology-focused structure where support is delivered through technology service providers to ensure accountability and effective utilisation of resources.
Ukonu explained that the structure was intentionally created to prevent the diversion of resources to non-business purposes while ensuring that beneficiaries gain access to practical technological solutions capable of improving productivity and expanding market reach.
“But the structure of the programme, unlike many other grant programmes, is we’re not giving cash out to businesses directly. We’re actually doing so through technology service providers,” he added.
He further noted that the initiative would empower artisans and professionals including tailors, carpenters and mechanics to embrace digital tools, modern business systems and online marketing opportunities.
“Think about a tailor who would like to go online, but doesn’t have the funds to be able to do so. What you are doing with the Nkata programme is to fund them to be able to grow online and sell their products online,” he explained.
The ATSAC Director-General disclosed that although the total grant pool stands at ₦306 million for all 17 local government areas, implementation would begin with the seven selected pilot councils before extending statewide.
He also clarified that eligibility for the programme is not limited to Abia indigenes alone, stressing that any business or individual operating within the state, employing residents and contributing to the economy through tax payments would qualify as an Abia business and become eligible to benefit from the initiative.
According to Ukonu, the NKATA programme is built around three major pillars comprising businesses, technology service providers and mentors.
He revealed that software firms, technology companies, internet providers and hardware suppliers would participate as service providers, while experienced mentors, including professionals in the diaspora, would guide businesses in developing viable proposals and identifying suitable technological solutions for growth.
A major highlight of the event was the official presentation of the ₦306 million cheque to the ATSAC Director-General for the commencement of the pilot phase of the programme.
The enlarged Executive Council meeting also served as a strategic review session marking the third anniversary of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, providing ministries, departments and agencies the opportunity to assess their performances and showcase milestones achieved since the inception of the present government.
During the session, several Ministries, Departments and Agencies presented reports outlining programmes, projects and policy interventions executed across critical sectors of the state economy.
Key ministries including Health, Education, Works, Power and Public Utilities, alongside other strategic government institutions, gave detailed updates on progress recorded in service delivery, infrastructure development and reforms targeted at improving the welfare and living conditions of Abia residents.
The meeting further provided a platform for evaluating the effectiveness of government policies and measuring the broader impact of reforms and developmental initiatives introduced under the current administration, reinforcing the government’s commitment to accountability, innovation and sustainable development in Abia State.