RismadarVoice Reporters
September 29, 2026
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says his administration is repositioning the state from conventional trading towards manufacturing and digital commerce in response to changing global economic trends.
Otti stated this on Monday in Umuahia during the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with the theme, “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo.”
The governor said Abia and the wider Igbo community, historically known for trading, were increasingly shifting towards manufacturing and technology-driven commerce.
Responding to concerns over Chinese traders competing with Igbo entrepreneurs in retail businesses in Lagos, Otti said Abia was moving beyond dependence on conventional physical markets.
“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.
“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 said digital commerce would enable entrepreneurs in the state to compete in international markets rather than depend solely on traditional physical outlets.
He said the state’s strategy was to combine manufacturing with digital trading, stressing that businesses needed to adapt to technological changes.
“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,” he said.
The governor also said his administration was investing in digital skills for young people through the TechRise initiative.
According to him, some beneficiaries of the programme are already working remotely for global technology companies from Aba.
Otti also assured the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide of his administration’s continued support.
He described the celebration’s theme, “Njikọ Ka,” translated as “Unity is Supreme,” as appropriate, saying it reflected the importance of unity amid diversity.
The governor said his administration had laid a foundation for Abia’s development and expressed confidence that the state would continue to record significant transformation.
