The Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. John Uwajimogu, has said the Federal Government is exploring ways to support businesses in Abia State, particularly those in the textile and garment cluster in Aba and the agricultural sector.
Mr. Uwajimogu stated this on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, during his visit to Governor Alex Otti, OFR, in his office, where he said the delegation was in the State to deepen engagement with the Abia State Government and explore areas of collaboration that could attract federal projects and investment opportunities.
He said the Federal Government had taken note of the strong industrial capacity of Aba, particularly in textiles and garments, and was exploring ways to support businesses in the sector by addressing major constraints affecting their operations.
“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.
“And, we have been thinking of how, from the federal level, we can support the businesses that are working in that sector and have come up with ideas on how we can address some of the biggest binding constraints that they often face, one being infrastructure and the other one being finance.
“We are also coming to discuss what we can bring to the table and help resolve and address those binding constraints,” Mr. Uwajimogu stated.
Mr. Uwajimogu added that the Federal Government is interested in bringing its projects and programmes to Abia, noting that the visit is part of efforts to identify areas where both tiers of government could work together to promote economic development.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Engr. Cornelius Adebayo, who was part of the delegation with his team, described Governor Alex Otti as a performer and reformer, stressing that NALDA’s core mandate is poverty alleviation through agriculture.
He said the Authority is seeking the support of the Abia State Government, particularly in providing land for its Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate programme, which is designed to aggregate farmers, provide infrastructure, improve security, facilitate access to inputs and markets, and create sustainable incomes.
He expressed hope that Abia would host a major NALDA agricultural project, including a processing facility, and appealed to Governor Otti to provide suitable land and support for the initiative.
Responding, Governor Alex Otti expressed the readiness of his administration to collaborate with NALDA and other stakeholders to unlock the agricultural potential of the State.
The State Chief Executive described the proposed farm settlement initiative as a practical pathway to boosting food production, creating jobs and reducing dependence on food imports.
Gov. Otti noted that Abia, despite its limited landmass, possesses fertile and arable land capable of supporting the cultivation of crops such as cassava, yam, cocoyam, oil palm and cashew. He recalled the success of farm settlements established in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the defunct Star Paper Mill, as examples of enterprises that demonstrated the capacity of Nigerians to build sustainable productive ventures.
The Governor, who said the initiative resonates with his administration’s vision, noted that food importation places additional pressure on the foreign exchange market and stressed the need to revive local production through deliberate investment in agriculture.
Governor Otti thereafter directed the Commissioners for Agriculture and Lands to examine available locations, including existing farm settlements and other suitable areas, while also exploring ways to strengthen the operations of NALDA’s office in Osisioma.
Members of the State Executive Council were present at the visit.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
September 30, 2026.
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