Invest Lagos 3.0: Otti Woos Global Investors to Abia, Seeks $1.3bn for Medical City, Industrial Park

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has intensified efforts to position the state as one of Nigeria’s leading investment destinations, calling on local and international investors to partner with his administration in delivering transformational projects, including the proposed $1.3 billion Abia Medical City and the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP).

Governor Otti made the appeal on Monday during Invest Lagos 3.0, the flagship international investment summit organized by the Lagos State Government in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. The summit, themed “Lagos: Business Gateway to Africa – Powering Africa’s Next Era of Trade, Talent and Global Economic Leadership,” attracted investors, policymakers and business leaders from across the globe.

Speaking during the investment pitch session moderated by CNN correspondent Zain Asher, Governor Otti said Abia has deliberately prioritized healthcare and education, noting that healthcare alone has consistently received 15 percent of the state’s annual budget over the last three years, second only to education with 20 percent.

He disclosed that his administration has refurbished 277 Primary Healthcare Centres, with 135 already fully functional, while about 800 healthcare professionals have been recruited, including specialists from outside the state. He also revealed that seven General Hospitals are undergoing reconstruction alongside major tertiary health institutions.

According to the Governor, the administration’s biggest healthcare ambition is the establishment of the Abia Medical City, for which 200 hectares of land have already been acquired and prepared, complete with access roads.

“We need investment to actualize our vision of building a Medical City. The project requires about $1.3 billion, and when completed, it will help reverse medical tourism and retain a significant portion of the nearly $2 billion Nigerians spend annually on medical treatment abroad,” he said.

Governor Otti also invited investors to participate in the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park located in Owaza, describing it as a strategic industrial hub that will leverage the area’s oil and gas resources to drive manufacturing and innovation. He noted that discussions with Afreximbank would further strengthen investment opportunities in the project.

Highlighting his administration’s achievements, the Governor said Abia has constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated 414 roads covering about 864 kilometres, while work is ongoing on 82 additional roads spanning approximately 211 kilometres across the state.

He described Abians as naturally entrepreneurial people capable of producing globally competitive goods when supported by a conducive business environment, particularly stable electricity.

Governor Otti pointed to the ongoing modernization of Ariaria International Market, the reconstruction of Ekeoha Market, and improvements in other commercial centres as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s economy.

He also highlighted the restoration of near 24-hour electricity supply across the Aba ring-fenced area covering nine local government areas through the successful operationalization of the long-delayed Geometric Power Project.

According to him, discussions with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) are already advanced to extend the same model to Umuahia and other parts of the state, while the establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency is aimed at achieving statewide energy independence.

The Governor revealed that reliable power is already attracting industries to the state, disclosing that a major investor has concluded plans to relocate a steel plant from another state to Abia after being assured of uninterrupted electricity, with five hectares of land already allocated for the project.

On transportation, he said the state introduced 20 electric buses last December, with another 20 buses currently on their way from China, bringing the fleet to 40 as the administration works toward its target of 100 electric buses before the end of the year.

Governor Otti further disclosed that his administration has attracted significant private investments, including over $200 million from Presco Plc for oil palm development, about $120 million from Nimble Shaw, and approximately $100 million from the KADJI Group, owners of Ultimum Limited, for manufacturing expansion in Aba.

He also noted that the state has acquired the moribund Star Paper Mill Limited and the previously underutilized Afro Beverages facility from AMCON, with discussions already at an advanced stage for private-sector takeover and revitalization.

The Governor informed participants that work is progressing on the Abia Airport project, being jointly developed with the Federal Government, while the state has also commenced a feasibility study for a proposed seaport in Ukwa East Local Government Area, designed to establish Abia as a major trade and logistics gateway for the South-East and South-South regions.

Governor Otti commended his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for providing a platform for other states to showcase their investment opportunities to the global investment community, describing the gesture as an act of selfless leadership.

The summit attracted top dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, CWEIC Chair Lord Marland, several state governors, federal ministers, heads of international institutions and global investors.

The information was contained in a statement signed by Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Abia State.

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