The Abia State Government has taken a major step towards building a thriving Digital Economy as the proposed Abia Startup Bill has been passed by the State House of Assembly.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to him, the bill, sponsored by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, aligns with Governor Otti’s manifeso to “establish a thriving digital economy for Abia State that will stimulate statewide innovations across many sectors”.
“With the passage of the bill, the next important step will be for the Governor to grant his assent by signing the bill into law”, Prince Kanu said.
He explained that once the law takes effect, the State Government will set up the Abia State Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Board and subsequently launch the Abia Startup Portal, both of which are expected to provide an enabling environment for Tech startups.
Prince Kanu further announced that preparations are on top gear for the Abia Technology and Innovation Summit, scheduled for 10th to 12th December 2025 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
“The main thrust of the Summit will involve activities surrounding the Startup Law and the hosting of a Startup Innovation Challenge. he said,
He added that the challenge will be open to graduates of the State’s first TechRise programme and will hold at the new UMPD Uniport facility at Michael Okpara University Umudike.
The Commissioner said the passage of the Startup Bill and the upcoming summit represent “a strategic move by the State Government that will no doubt create a more attractive and enabling environment for the State’s startups”.
He revealed that the State Government has intensified its recruitment drive in the Health sector, with 33 consultants recently emerging successful from interviews conducted by the State Civil Service Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Prince Kanu further disclosed that the interview exercise was held on Thursday, 6th October 2025, and that “the 33 successful consultants will soon be onboarded into the State’s Health Sector”.
The Commissioner added that the recruitment portal for Ophthalmologists, Dental officers, Medical officers, and both contract and full-time Consultants remains open and will continue to run “until the number of health personnel required for the State’s Healthcare Sector are employed”
Prince Kanu also revealed that the Civil Service Commission will conduct another batch of Computer-Based Tests (CBT) on Thursday, for shortlisted Medical Officers.
According to the Commissioner, the recruitment of Medical Officers will be an ongoing exercise until the earmarked number of 771 Medical personnel is achieved.
He announced that the State will host the 44th National Council of Civil Service Commissions’ Conference from 30th November to 5th December 2025.
“This conference will have over 600 participants in attendance. The conference is another evidence of the growing focus on Abia State and of the massive transformation recorded in all aspects of governance in the past 29 months of the Dr Alex Otti-led administration”, he said.
