The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, has concluded a two-day partnership visit to Abia State, where he described the state as a growing hub for entrepreneurship, innovation and economic opportunity.
The visit reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Abia’s drive for inclusive growth, investment, job creation and digital transformation.
The visit also featured a meeting with Governor Alex Otti, engagements with civil society and electoral stakeholders, a tour of the Geometric Power Plant in Aba, and participation in the State-Level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation, SPRIRET, programme. The SPRIRET engagement, under the UK’s Digital Access Programme, convened public and private sector actors to strengthen the policy, regulatory and institutional foundations needed for inclusive digital growth in the state.
Discussions between Baxter and Governor Otti focused on expanding UK-Abia cooperation across trade, investment, innovation, education, energy and digital development. The two sides also deliberated on democratic governance, preparations for forthcoming elections and the need to sustain a peaceful and inclusive political environment.
Baxter lauded Abia’s entrepreneurial energy and the reform efforts of the state government. “Abia is one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial states, and that energy is now being matched by a positive policy environment. Throughout this visit, I have been struck not only by the ambition, innovation and determination I have encountered, but by the deliberate steps the Governor has taken to create the conditions for that ambition to thrive,” he said.
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He noted that digital transformation hinges on sound policy and regulation, adding that the UK is supporting Abia because of its demonstrated political will. “Digital transformation depends on getting the policy and regulatory environment right, and we are responding to Abia State’s demonstrated desire to do exactly that.
The United Kingdom is proud to support Abia’s digital transformation through our Digital Access Programme and the SPRIRET initiative. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Government and people of Abia State,” Baxter stated.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked Baxter and his team for the visit, saying Abia remains open to partnerships that will fast-track its economic transformation and lead to stronger government-to-government and business-to-business ties.
He described electricity as central to the success of Abia’s manufacturing and business community, stressing that unreliable power is more expensive for businesses due to the cost of generators, diesel and maintenance. “Once you have reliable power, whatever the cost is, it is still going to be cheaper than not having reliable power,” the Governor said.
Otti said his administration is working to expand reliable power beyond Aba and is pursuing the necessary approvals to operate Abia as an integrated power market, leveraging infrastructure at Geometric Power. He noted that Aba’s manufacturing base — particularly footwear, garments and other locally produced goods — holds huge export potential, and that the state is collaborating with partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to improve finishing, packaging and market access.
He assured of the state government’s active participation in the Digital Access Programme engagement and continued collaboration to identify practical areas of cooperation.
