Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, made this known after a two-day visit to Abia State, during which he held discussions with Alex Otti, the Governor, and engaged with civil society and electoral stakeholders, among other activities.

The visit also included 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 together public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen the policy, regulatory and institutional foundations considered necessary for inclusive digital transformation in the state.

Baxter said the visit underscored the UK’s interest in supporting Abia’s efforts to create an environment conducive to inclusive growth, investment, job creation and digital development.

“Abia is one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial states, and that energy is now being matched by a positive policy environment,” Baxter said.

He said he was impressed by the ambition, innovation and determination encountered during the visit, as well as steps being taken by the state government to create conditions for businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive.

“The same is true in the digital space. 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 said.

According to him, the UK is supporting Abia’s digital transformation through its Digital Access Programme and the SPRIRET initiative.

“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,” Baxter said.

According to a statement by the Commission, discussions with Otti focused on opportunities to expand UK-Abia cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education, energy and digital development.

It added that discussions also covered democratic governance, preparations for forthcoming elections and the need for a peaceful and inclusive political environment.

Otti thanked the British Deputy High Commissioner and his team for visiting the state, saying Abia remained open to partnerships capable of strengthening its economic development.

The governor expressed optimism that the engagement would result in stronger government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships that would support the state’s economic transformation.

Otti welcomed Baxter’s visit to the Geometric Power Plant, describing reliable electricity as central to the success of the state’s manufacturing and business community.

He said his administration was working to expand reliable electricity supply across the state, arguing that the cost of unreliable power was ultimately higher for businesses because of 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 the state was also working to extend power supply beyond Aba, including efforts to secure the necessary rights to enable Abia operate as an integrated power market.

He said the initiative would leverage infrastructure already available through Geometric Power.

Otti also highlighted Aba’s manufacturing base, particularly in footwear, garments and other locally produced goods, saying the state government was working with development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to improve finishing, packaging and export opportunities for locally made products.

The governor further assured the UK delegation of the state’s participation in the Digital Access Programme engagement scheduled for Thursday.

He said the state government would continue working with the UK team to identify practical areas of collaboration that could support Abia’s development and strengthen the state’s economic and digital transformation efforts.

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