2027: Odii Pledges To Industrialise Ebonyi, Attract Private Investment

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to industrialise the state and attract private investment as part of his economic transformation agenda.

Odii said his vision was to move Ebonyi beyond dependence on monthly allocations from the Federation Account by harnessing its agricultural potential, solid mineral resources and human capital to build a productive, investment-driven economy.

The PDP governorship candidate, whose development blueprint is anchored on the “Anyi G’Emeya” mantra, said his ambition was to make Ebonyi a preferred investment destination in Nigeria, where businesses could thrive, industries could flourish and citizens could create sustainable sources of wealth.

“My vision is to make Ebonyi State the preferred investment destination in Nigeria while improving the livelihoods and capacity of our people,” he said, stressing that economic development must translate into better living conditions and opportunities for ordinary citizens.

He said his agenda would focus on private-sector-led industrialisation through the creation of a business-friendly environment, development of industrial clusters, improved infrastructure and stronger institutions to attract local and foreign investors.

Odii proposed establishing an Economic Council to drive productivity, competitiveness and policy reforms, while simplifying government processes and removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that discourage investment.

According to him, Ebonyi must move from an economy largely dependent on government spending to one in which private enterprises drive production, employment and revenue generation.

On agriculture, the entrepreneur proposed transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness through mechanised farming, irrigation, improved access to finance and agro-industrial processing zones.

He also proposed making between 400 and 500 hectares of arable land available to attract major agricultural investors, particularly in rice production and other high-value crops.

“Rather than exporting raw produce, we want to encourage value addition,” he said, explaining that processing agricultural products within the state would stimulate manufacturing, create jobs and expand market opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.

The governorship candidate also placed youth empowerment and human capital development at the centre of his agenda, proposing skills acquisition centres across the state’s 13 local government areas, alongside opportunities in technology, creative industries, entrepreneurship and vocational training.

His agenda further includes support for small and medium-sized enterprises, improved access to business finance, and the development of technology and innovation hubs.

He argued that young people should be equipped to become employers, skilled professionals and business owners rather than depend solely on government employment.

He added that “everything in the Anyi G’Emeya agenda is driven by one central objective: to create opportunities for our people to prosper.”

Other priority areas include education, healthcare, infrastructure, and massive road rehabilitation and construction.