The Federal Government (FG)is exploring measures to support businesses in Abia State, particularly operators in the textile and garment sector in Aba, as well as the state’s agricultural industry.
The Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Uwajimogu, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, during a meeting with Abia State Governor Alex Otti in his office.
Uwajimogu said the delegation was in Abia to deepen engagement with the state government and identify areas of collaboration capable of attracting federal projects and investment opportunities.
He highlighted Aba’s strong industrial base, particularly its textile and garment cluster, noting that the Federal Government was considering interventions to address major challenges confronting businesses in the sector.
According to him, infrastructure and access to finance remain among the major constraints affecting the growth of businesses in Aba.
One of the biggest things that we see coming out of Abia State is the strong industrial capacity in Aba, particularly in the textile and garments sector,” Uwajimogu said.
He added that the Federal Government was interested in bringing its projects and programmes to Abia while working with the state government to promote economic development.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Cornelius Adebayo, said the agency was seeking the state government’s support for its Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate programme.
Adebayo said the programme would aggregate farmers, provide infrastructure, improve security, facilitate access to agricultural inputs and markets, and create sustainable sources of income.
He appealed to Governor Otti to provide suitable land for the establishment of a major NALDA agricultural project in the state, including a processing facility.
Responding, Governor Otti expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with NALDA and other stakeholders to develop Abia’s agricultural potential.
The governor said the proposed farm settlement initiative could help increase food production, create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported food.
Otti noted that despite Abia’s relatively limited landmass, the state has fertile and arable land suitable for crops including cassava, yam, cocoyam, oil palm and cashew.
He also referenced the success of farm settlements established in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the former Star Paper Mill, as examples of productive ventures that demonstrated the potential for sustainable industrial and agricultural development.
The governor further warned that food imports put additional pressure on the foreign exchange market, stressing the need for deliberate investment in local production.
He subsequently directed the Commissioners for Agriculture and Lands to identify suitable locations for the proposed initiative, including existing farm settlements, while also exploring measures to strengthen NALDA’s office in Osisioma.
Members of the Abia State Executive Council attended the meeting.
