The United Kingdom Government has expressed its readiness to deepen its partnership with Abia State in digital transformation, power, trade, investment and broader economic development.
The commitment was made when the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Johnny Baxter, visited Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, as part of a two-day UK engagement with the state.
The visit focused on strengthening collaboration in key areas of the state’s development, including power, trade and commerce, digital transformation, transportation, education and governance.
Speaking during the engagement, Baxter said the UK-Nigeria relationship was built on shared interests, values and experiences, noting that the partnership had continued to expand across economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology and development.
He said the UK was already supporting programmes in Abia aimed at promoting economic growth and expanding opportunities for residents and businesses.
One of such initiatives is the Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa), which is supporting private-sector financing for integrated waste management and recycling through Kaltani.
The UK is also implementing its Digital Access Programme (DAP) in the state to strengthen the policy, regulatory and institutional environment for digital inclusion and the digital economy.
The programme includes policy development, capacity building and stakeholder engagement, while the UK is also working with communities in Arochukwu and Okporoenyi to establish sustainable connectivity hubs.
Baxter also visited the Geometric Power Plant in Aba, where he highlighted the importance of reliable and affordable electricity to economic development.
He commended the integrated power project, including its metering component, while noting that access to dependable electricity remained a major constraint to businesses and industries.
The British envoy also discussed opportunities to retain skilled professionals and young people in Abia, as well as ways of connecting businesses in the state with UK partners and supply chains.
Responding, Otti thanked the UK Government for its interest in Abia and said the state remained open to partnerships that could accelerate economic development.
The governor identified electricity as critical to the growth of manufacturing and businesses, particularly in Aba, and said his administration was working to ensure reliable power supply across the state.
He said the government was also seeking to leverage the Geometric Power project and the state’s rights to operate an integrated power market to expand electricity access.
Otti said Aba’s manufacturing base, particularly in footwear and garments, had significant export potential, adding that the state was working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve product finishing, packaging and market access.
On waste management, the governor said the state was interested in partnerships that would promote recycling and convert waste into useful products and energy.
He also welcomed the UK’s Digital Access Programme, saying the state would participate fully in the engagement scheduled for Thursday.
On migration and human capital, Otti said the state was concerned about the movement of healthcare professionals abroad but was taking steps to strengthen its health sector.
He disclosed that the state had approved the recruitment of nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals, with about 200 vacancies still to be filled.
According to him, the government is also developing plans for a medical city and engaging a company working with UK partners as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and reverse medical tourism.
The governor said the state was seeking to build stronger government-to-government and business-to-business relationships with the UK to attract investment, create jobs and expand economic opportunities for Abia residents.
