The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Abia State as British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, concluded a two-day visit focused on digital transformation, investment, energy and economic development.
Baxter’s visit brought together engagements with Governor Alex Otti, civil society and electoral stakeholders, as well as a tour of the Geometric Power Plant and participation in the State-Level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation (SPRIRET) programme under the UK’s Digital Access Programme.
The SPRIRET engagement brought public and private sector stakeholders together to examine policy, regulatory and institutional reforms needed to advance inclusive digital transformation in the state.
During his meeting with Governor Otti, Baxter discussed opportunities to expand UK-Abia cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education, energy and digital development. Discussions also covered democratic governance, preparations for forthcoming elections and the need for a peaceful and inclusive political environment.
Baxter said Abia’s entrepreneurial base was increasingly being supported by a favourable policy environment.
“Abia is one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial states, and that energy is now being matched by a positive policy environment.”
He said the visit had demonstrated the level of ambition and innovation within the state, noting that the government was taking deliberate steps to create an environment where businesses and entrepreneurs could thrive.
“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,” Baxter said.
On digital development, the British envoy said the UK was responding to the state’s efforts to strengthen its policy and regulatory environment.
“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.”
He added that the UK was supporting the state’s digital transformation through its Digital Access Programme and the SPRIRET initiative.
“The United Kingdom is proud to support Abia’s digital transformation through our Digital Access Programme and the SPRIRET initiative,” Baxter said.
“We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Government and people of Abia State and building on the strong foundations of the UK-Nigeria strategic partnership.”
Governor Otti, in turn, thanked Baxter and his team for the visit, saying the state remained open to partnerships that could strengthen its economic development.
The Governor expressed optimism that the engagement would translate into stronger government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships to support Abia’s economic transformation.
Otti also highlighted the importance of reliable electricity to the state’s manufacturing and business ecosystem during Baxter’s visit to the Geometric Power Plant.
According to the Governor, the cost of unreliable electricity ultimately weighs more heavily on businesses through their dependence on 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,” Otti said.
The Governor said his administration was working to expand reliable electricity supply beyond Aba and secure the necessary rights for Abia to operate as an integrated power market, leveraging existing infrastructure at Geometric Power.
He also pointed to Aba’s established manufacturing base, particularly in footwear, garments and other locally produced goods, saying the state was working with partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to improve finishing, packaging and export opportunities for locally made products.
Otti further assured that the state government would participate in the Digital Access Programme engagement scheduled for Thursday and continue working with the UK team to identify practical areas of collaboration.
The visit comes as Abia positions digital transformation, reliable power, manufacturing and investment as key components of its broader economic development agenda.
