The United Kingdom (UK) has expressed readiness to deepen its partnership with Abia State in digital transformation, power, trade, investment and other sectors aimed at accelerating economic development in the state.
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, made this known on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when he led a delegation from the British High Commission on a courtesy visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, at the Government House.
The visit formed part of Baxter’s two-day official engagement in Abia and came ahead of the state-level Digital Transformation Programme scheduled to take place in the state.
Discussions during the meeting centred on key areas including electricity, trade and commerce, digital transformation, transportation, education and governance, as well as opportunities for stronger government and business partnerships.
Baxter said the UK values its partnership with Nigeria, noting that the relationship extends beyond diplomacy to economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology and development.
He disclosed that two UK-supported programmes are currently active in Abia, including the Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) programme, which is supporting efforts to mobilise private finance for an integrated waste management and recycling project in partnership with Kaltani.
He also highlighted the Digital Access Programme, which is aimed at supporting states in developing policies, regulations and institutional frameworks that promote digital inclusion and the expansion of the digital economy.
According to him, the programme will support capacity building, policy development and stakeholder engagement to enable more residents to participate in the digital economy.
Baxter further disclosed that the UK is working with communities in Arochukwu and Okporoenyi to establish sustainable connectivity hubs where residents can access internet and digital services.
Speaking on electricity, the Deputy High Commissioner described his earlier visit to the Geometric Power Plant in Aba as fascinating, stressing that reliable and affordable electricity remains a major factor in Nigeria’s economic development.
He commended the integrated power project, particularly its metering technology, which he said could help build trust between electricity providers and consumers.
Baxter said reliable electricity, digital connectivity and other enabling infrastructure would create conditions for businesses to invest, expand and create jobs.
He also expressed interest in Abia’s efforts to retain skilled professionals and create opportunities for young people to contribute to the development of their communities.
The diplomat said the UK would continue to explore opportunities to connect Abia businesses with potential British partners and supply chains.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the British delegation for the visit and expressed the state government’s willingness to partner with organisations capable of supporting Abia’s economic transformation.
The governor described electricity as critical to the success of Aba’s manufacturing and business community, noting that unreliable power supply forces businesses to depend on generators, diesel and costly maintenance.
Otti said his administration was working to expand reliable electricity supply beyond Aba and secure the necessary rights for Abia to operate as an integrated power market, leveraging infrastructure already provided by Geometric Power.
The governor also highlighted Abia’s manufacturing strength in footwear, garments and other locally produced goods, saying the state was working with partners, including the United Nations Development Programme, to improve finishing, packaging and export opportunities.
On waste management, Otti welcomed the partnership involving Kaltani and UK-supported initiatives, stressing that the state was interested in recycling waste and converting it into useful products and energy rather than focusing solely on waste collection.
The governor also raised concerns over the migration of skilled professionals, particularly healthcare workers.
He disclosed that his administration had approved the recruitment of nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals, with about 200 vacancies still to be filled, while plans were also underway to establish a medical city in the state.
According to Otti, discussions have commenced with a company working with UK partners on the proposed medical city, which he said was intended to help reduce medical tourism by providing quality healthcare facilities locally.
Otti assured the British delegation that the state government would participate in the Digital Access Programme engagement and continue discussions on practical areas of collaboration.
He expressed optimism that the engagement would result in stronger government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships capable of supporting Abia’s economic transformation.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, and other senior officials of the Abia State Government.
