Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
LAGOS, Nigeria – Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has stated that while Abia cannot transform into a mega city the size of Lagos within the next 10 or 15 years, it can complement Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre by absorbing some of the population and economic pressure that has made Lagos overpopulated. Speaking on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Invest Lagos 3.0 forum held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, the governor argued that Nigeria’s development would be better served if more states emerged as strong economic hubs rather than concentrating growth in one city.
Governor Otti began his address by commending his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for providing a platform that allowed other subnational governments to showcase their investment potential. He described Sanwo-Olu’s invitation as a demonstration of leadership and selflessness, adding that it was rare for a state to willingly share the stage with potential competitors. “It takes a lot of selflessness to invite other states to take advantage of a platform to market themselves, and I assure you I will not demarket you as I market myself,” Otti said.
Acknowledging Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial hub, the governor noted that the sprawling megacity has become overpopulated as job seekers and businesses gravitate towards its opportunities. Rather than attempting to outdo Lagos, he said, Abia is focused on carving out its own niche, targeting industries and investors who might find the Lagos environment overly saturated. “Lagos is a mega city. If you ask me, I would say it is overpopulated, and that is why it is good for other states to begin to grow. We cannot all be mega cities like Lagos in the next 10 years or 15 years, but there are things we can take off Lagos,” he stated.
To illustrate that Abia is ready to absorb investment, Governor Otti pointed to the restoration of stable electricity in Aba, the state’s commercial heartbeat. He disclosed that Aba is now powered by Geometric Power, which has enabled the city to operate independently of the national grid. “Today, Aba has an island that includes eight more local governments, literally out of the national grid. And Aba has been reinforced as an island. And they have 24-hour power as we speak,” he told the audience. The governor noted that before this achievement, manufacturers in Aba spent between 60 to 70 percent of their operational costs on alternative energy sources. With stable power, production costs have dropped, making the city increasingly attractive to investors.
Governor Otti also announced that the Ariaria International Market, one of West Africa’s largest trading hubs, has been transformed into a 24‑hour market, a development he said is expanding business activities and improving productivity. He noted that the market’s transformation is part of a broader strategy to create an environment where commerce can thrive around the clock, matching the efficiency of markets in advanced economies.
Beyond energy and markets, the governor reeled off a list of infrastructure and healthcare achievements designed to build investor confidence. He said his administration has completed over 400 roads, measuring approximately 864 kilometres, with an additional 82 roads covering about 211 kilometres currently under construction. The state has also introduced 20 electric buses to improve mobility and reduce environmental impact. On healthcare, Otti noted that Abia has been ranked Nigeria’s most health‑emergency‑prepared state in the 2025 SBM report. Over the past three years, the state has allocated 15 percent of its budget to healthcare, refurbished 277 primary healthcare centres, functionalised 135 of them, and recruited about 800 healthcare professionals. Seven general hospitals are being rebuilt, and tertiary institutions such as the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba are being strengthened. The governor invited investors to partner in the proposed Abia Medical City, for which 200 hectares of land and access roads have already been prepared.
Turning to industrial development, Governor Otti spotlighted the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park located in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area, which he described as a strategic corridor for leveraging the state’s oil and gas resources. “We are looking at strategic partnerships and investment opportunities that will unlock its full potential,” he said. He assured investors that Abia has created an enabling environment through policy stability, digital governance reforms, and a Certificate of Occupancy in 30 days policy that has already seen over 4,000 certificates issued.
Invest Lagos 3.0, the third edition of the flagship investment summit, was organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. The two‑day event, held from Monday, June 8, to Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, was themed “Lagos: Business Gateway to Africa – Powering Africa’s Next Era of Trade, Talent and Global Economic Leadership.” It marked the first time the Lagos State Government formally invited other subnational governments to market their investment opportunities on the same platform. Several states, including Abia, Imo, Nasarawa, and Plateau, unveiled investment opportunities worth over N4 trillion across critical sectors.
As Governor Otti wrapped up his address, he reiterated that Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on the emergence of multiple thriving cities capable of absorbing population growth and economic activity. “Abia is not in competition with Lagos; we are complementing Lagos. Nigeria’s growth requires multiple thriving cities, and Abia is ready to deliver,” he stated. With 24‑hour power now a reality in Aba, a 24‑hour market operational, and a medical city and industrial park on the drawing board, the governor argued that Abia is no longer just promising reforms but showing results. Whether those results will translate into the billions of dollars in investment he seeks remains to be seen. But one thing was clear at the Invest Lagos 3.0 forum: Abia State is no longer waiting for Lagos to solve its problems; it is building its own solutions.
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