Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said the state is transitioning from conventional trading to technology-driven commerce, urging Ndigbo to embrace digital technology to remain competitive in the global economy.
Otti made the remarks on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia during the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The event, themed “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo,” focused on strategies for advancing economic and social development across the Southeast.
Responding to concerns about the growing presence of Chinese traders in Nigeria’s retail sector, particularly in Lagos, Otti said Abia was deliberately moving away from dependence on physical markets towards manufacturing and digital commerce.
We are leaving that place of trading. In Abia, we have markets; the markets are important. But we are moving from the market to manufacturing. So, this Government is supporting manufacturing. We are driving digital delivery.”
The governor said the state’s vision was to enable Abia entrepreneurs to sell beyond conventional physical markets and compete in the global marketplace through technology.
He cited Alibaba as an example of the direction Abia was pursuing, adding that businesses that fail to adapt to technological changes risk being left behind.
Otti also highlighted his administration’s TechRise initiative, through which young Abians are being trained in digital skills.
According to him, some beneficiaries are already working remotely for global technology companies from Aba.
When I spend money here training my young people in digital technology under the TechRise initiative, I know what I am doing. Some of them are already working for Google and Amazon from Aba.”
The governor said his administration had laid a foundation for the state’s development and would continue to focus on manufacturing, technology and other sectors capable of expanding economic opportunities.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Igbo Charter Committee for Strategic Engagement for National Development, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, called for the Igbo Charter to remain separate from partisan politics and serve as a non-partisan development roadmap.
Moghalu identified the promotion of the Igbo language, creation of a digital marketplace, diaspora engagement, improved security, investment and a shift from remittance dependence to productive investment as key priorities.
He also advocated true federalism, equitable citizenship and devolution of power, while urging Ndigbo to move from discussions to practical implementation.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, said the event was organised to harness the collective strength of Ndigbo through a unified development strategy.
He said the Igbo Charter, developed by more than 67 Igbo technocrats and business leaders, provides a framework for engaging the Nigerian state and the international community.
Azuta-Mbata also advocated stronger protection of Igbo culture and language, including making Igbo a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools across Igboland. He further called for a political solution to the case involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, urged Ndigbo to focus on building the region rather than concentrating solely on grievances.
The event was attended by Abia Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, members of the clergy and other stakeholders from across the Igbo community.
