How Aba Smart City Will Drive Economic Growth and Create Jobs — Otti

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City—a strategically located Public-Private Partnership investment hub on 140 hectares of land at Osisioma—will, upon completion, reposition Aba as a major industrial centre, driving sustainable economic growth and job creation.

The governor made this known on Wednesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Aba Commercial Smart City and United Market Leaders/Traders in Umuahia. He noted that the project, when fully realised, will significantly transform the state by modernising trade, commerce, manufacturing, and logistics.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Otti explained that the initiative aligns with his administration’s vision of creating prosperity for the people. He assured investment partners, Equatorial Marine Oil and Gas Ltd and EMOG Group, of a conducive business environment, stressing that necessary infrastructure and requirements have been put in place to ensure the smooth take-off and successful execution of the project.

According to him, the Aba Commercial Smart City will be a game-changer for Aba and Abia State at large, creating the right atmosphere that attracts investors and stimulates long-term development.

Speaking earlier, the Group Managing Director of Aba Commercial Smart City, Professor Chinedu Nebo—represented by the President of the project, Ambassador Osita Offor—described the initiative as the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. He said it represents a bold step towards positioning Abia as a global gateway for commerce and industrial advancement, restoring Aba’s status as Africa’s commercial heartbeat and linking it seamlessly to international trade networks.

In a technical presentation, the Manager of Technical Services, Mr David Okoro, explained that the project is anchored on four key innovation pillars: automated manufacturing, medical services, commerce, hospitality and smart housing, logistics efficiency, and smart energy. He added that the smart city is designed as a resilient, technology-driven environment where businesses thrive through intelligence and connectivity.

Okoro further disclosed that the integrated e-commerce platform and bonded terminals would ease cross-border trade by allowing importers to carry out transactions remotely, with goods delivered directly to their locations.

He said the project’s economic impact would be substantial, boosting the state’s internally generated revenue and creating about 25,000 direct jobs and over 100,000 indirect jobs across construction, ICT, manufacturing, and retail sectors.

Also speaking, the Group Vice Chairman and former Inspector General of Police, Dr Mike Okiro, said the project reflects Governor Otti’s commitment to restoring Aba’s long-standing reputation as Nigeria’s commercial and industrial hub. He noted that numerous investors are already committing funds to ensure the timely delivery of the project for the benefit of Abians and Nigerians.

Responding to questions from journalists, the President of the Leather Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State, Deacon Confidence Nwobilo, called on government at all levels, as well as foreign and local investors and private sector stakeholders, to invest in the state’s industrial sector. He said such investments would accelerate economic development, create employment opportunities, and increase the state’s GDP.