Our Commitment To Technology Spurred Unprecedented Growth In Abia – Otti

Abia State governor, Alex Otti, says his administration’s commitment to technology development, information and communication technology in particular, has spurred the unprecedented growth in the state’s tech ecosystem.

Otti stated this at the opening of the State-level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation (SPRIRET) initiative, Abia State Stakeholder Engagement Programme in Umuahia, the state capital.

He said anyone who has followed the state’s technology development and penetration framework would agree that the necessary foundation for this stage of engagement had long been laid.

He said the launch of the State Dig Once Policy in 2024 was intended to regulate the installation of fibre-optic cables and underground public infrastructure, protect investments, and save stakeholders’ costs.

‎”In 2025, we signed the Startup Law to stimulate the growth of technology-driven businesses through regulatory incentives and direct financial support to innovators, entrepreneurs and other players within the ICT value chain in the state.

‎”Recall also that we have the N2 billion startup support fund that businesses with innovative solutions can benefit from to scale their businesses, create jobs and draw talents into the ICT space.”

‎”Seeking to institutionalise our ICT development programme, we established the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ATSAC) to drive training and capacity development.”

‎”ATSAC’s mandate is firmly around the promotion of advanced technologies with emphasis on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Chip Design and Robotics, amongst others.”

‎”This year, we launched the N306 million Nkata technology-enabling business grant to further mitigate the funding problem for technology startups and business owners across the 17 local government areas.”

‎”Our record shows that since its launch in May this year, close to a hundred businesses have been supported, even as several others are waiting in the queue.”

‎He thanked the British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, who was in the state interacting with stakeholders and identifying new opportunities for partnership, for attending the event.

‎”Mr Baxter, just like the immediate-past British high commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, clearly understands the philosophy of cooperation for development.

‎”I want to also use this opportunity to appreciate both Dr Montgomery and Mr Baxter for their enthusiastic support of the development of the state,” the governor added.