Abia moving from trading to manufacturing, says Otti

Abia State Governor Alex Otti announced his administration's intention to transition the state from traditional trading to manufacturing and digital commerce. Speaking at the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner in Umuahia, Otti emphasized that the future of global business lies in technology and digital delivery. He stated that Abia and the Igbo community, traditionally known for trading, are now focusing on manufacturing and technology-driven commerce.

The governor expressed concern over the increasing presence of Chinese traders in Lagos's retail businesses and said Abia is moving away from physical stores to digital delivery platforms. Otti assured that his administration is heavily investing in digital skills for young people and has already seen some Abians working for global technology companies. He also highlighted the state's progress, promising further transformation in the coming years.