The Federal Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have endorsed Abia State’s innovation-driven development agenda, commending Governor Alex Otti’s reforms which they said have positioned the state as a leading destination for manufacturing and technology-driven enterprise.
The commendation came on Monday, when Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tunji Alausa, led a Federal Government delegation alongside senior UNDP officials on a courtesy visit to Governor Otti in his office at Nvosi, ahead of the official launch of the Manu-Tech UniPod at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).
The Manu-Tech UniPod is a manufacturing technology hub established by the UNDP to accelerate innovation, strengthen local manufacturing and equip young innovators with digital skills, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence-driven solutions.
Speaking during the visit, Vice President Shettima described Abia as Nigeria’s manufacturing hub, noting the state was the most suitable location for the innovation hub.
Shettima said that the facility would complement the state’s long-standing reputation for enterprise and industrial production as well as help local talents translate their natural abilities into globally competitive innovations.
He noted that Abia possesses abundant entrepreneurial talent, adding that sustained industrial growth depends on creating the right environment for businesses to thrive, particularly through reliable electricity.
“Abia is the reason why we are here today to launch the Manu-Tech UniPod Innovation Hub.
“The United Nations Development Programme could not have chosen a better state in the federation for this hub. Abia State is the centre of manufacturing activity.
“If you are talking of manufacturing, you need more beyond the local talent, the natural local talent that is already in abundance in Abia”, he said.
Shettima also commended Governor Otti for providing uninterrupted electricity to the Aba industrial cluster through a partnership with Geometric Power, describing the initiative as a major driver of manufacturing and economic growth.
“The governor worked with Geometric to ensure that the entire Aba industrial area has 24-hour uninterrupted electricity. That’s what a futuristic leader does.
“I thank Your Excellency for your service to Abia, for your service to the nation. You are leading from the front. You are showing what doable leadership is all about.
“You are showing what commitment to service of one country is all about. And you are showing us that as a country, Nigeria can emulate the entire country what Abia has done in providing 24-hour electricity to support the people of Abia State. The critical way of building human capital”, Shettima said.
According to him, the model could serve as a template for other states seeking to boost manufacturing and economic productivity.
The Vice President further applauded the state’s education reforms, noting that Abia’s impressive educational performance was evidence of deliberate investments in human capital.
“We’ve seen that the South-East is doing so well among all the geopolitical zones, but the outstanding performance we’ve seen is coming from Abia State.
“This is not by coincidence. It is because today we have a governor who shares the passion of President Bola Tinubu in believing that education remains the bedrock of economic development”, the VP stated.
He directed the state government to ensure that student data for the 2025 and 2026 academic sessions are uploaded to the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (D-NEMIS) before July 31.
Also speaking, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Mrs Ahunna Eziakonwa, described the UniPod project as evidence of the UNDP’s commitment to delivering practical development outcomes.
The UNDP Assistant Secretary General, said the initiative represents “a demonstration of humanity”, adding that it reflects the organisation’s determination to transform lives through concrete development interventions.
She expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute significantly to innovation, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, applauded Governor Otti’s leadership, saying his administration had demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation, digital transformation and the knowledge economy.
She said the Manu-Tech UniPod forms part of the UNDP’s Timbuktu Initiative aimed at nurturing African talent, transforming ideas into prototypes, prototypes into businesses and businesses into thriving industries.
Attafuah said the innovation hub would position Abia as a key player in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and support the state’s growing technology and manufacturing sectors.
“Today we are here to support your visionary leadership to really position Abia as part of the innovation ecosystem in the country,” Attafuah said.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the Federal Government and the UNDP for selecting Abia as the host of the innovation hub and assured them of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the project’s success.
The governor said the true measure of the project’s success would be its impact on local industries, entrepreneurs and technology innovators.
“I am very glad that the UniPod Project is being commissioned today, and I want to congratulate all the people that were involved in making this a reality, particularly Elsie Attafuah and her team, together with some of our Exco members who worked collectively and collaboratively to deliver this project.
“We will do everything possible to make it work. The delivery is when it begins to impact on our people and support our industrialists, the small and medium-scale enterprises, and those involved in technology, to upscale their products and deliver not only to Abia State, but to Nigeria and Africa in general”, Governor Otti stated.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to digital transformation, disclosing that Abia had assembled a team of experienced technology professionals, including experts who had returned from abroad, to drive innovation across key sectors.
On the Federal Government’s directive regarding the digital school census, Governor Otti assured the that the state would meet the deadline.
“I can assure you that both the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education and the Chairman of ASUBEB have heard you. I am also aware of this challenge, but I can assure you that before the 31st of July, our people will complete this project”, he assured.
