Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has officially launched the Abia State Government - Ethnocentricintrique Limited MSME Competitiveness and Industrial Productivity Program (MCIPP), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening small businesses, improving product quality, and promoting local manufacturing across the state.
The program is designed as a structured framework to boost Nigeria’s creative and small business sectors by providing standardized skills development, business support services, certification, formalization, and expanded access to markets. It seeks to tackle long-standing challenges faced by local artisans and MSMEs, positioning them to compete effectively both across Africa and globally.
The launch took place at the Michael Okpara Auditorium under the theme "Enhancing MSME Competitiveness and Industrial Productivity for Sustainable Economic Growth in Abia State." During his speech, Governor Otti urged manufacturers and consumers to stop branding locally made goods with fake foreign names, emphasizing that such practices hinder genuine local innovation.
He praised Ethnocentrique Limited for initiating the project in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation before government involvement, noting that their proactive efforts convinced the state to fully support the initiative. The Governor congratulated the 1,000 MSMEs participating in the first phase and announced plans to expand the program to include up to 10,000 MSMEs.
Sharing a personal story about an Aba shoemaker branding a local shoe with a foreign name, Governor Otti highlighted the importance of changing mindsets among consumers, traders, and manufacturers to recognize and patronize authentic “Made-in-Abia” products. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to promote Abia’s renowned “Akwete Cloth” fashion line at the United Nations General Assembly, warning that counterfeit versions are emerging abroad, thus underscoring the need to trademark the product for better protection.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting MSMEs, Governor Otti cited previous funding support, including a N1 billion fund allocated to nano businesses last year, along with additional budget provisions for MSMEs this year.
Mazi Mike Akpara, the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, explained that MCIPP aims to expand formal business registration, skills certification, and intellectual property protection throughout Abia. He revealed that the program plans to register 4,000 MSMEs through the Corporate Affairs Commission and sectoral regulators, to improve access to procurement opportunities and meet national market standards.
The Commissioner also announced plans to train 100 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) and produce 1,000 NSQF-certified artisans in sectors like garments, footwear, and leatherwork, to enhance local quality standards and increase employment.
Mrs. Irunna Ejibe, CEO of Ethnocentrique Limited, described MCIPP as a move away from ad hoc interventions towards building a structured industrial ecosystem rooted in standards, certification, and enterprise systems. She outlined that phase one includes certifying 1,000 artisans, developing certified assessors, training 100 BDSPs, registering 2,000 businesses, and trademarking 100 indigenous brands.
Mrs. Ejibe emphasized that the initiative will position Abia to compete in global value chains by aligning local production with internationally recognized standards and certifications.
The event featured lively business discussions with panelists and attracted many top government officials. The report was signed by Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, on November 27, 2025.
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