The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local industries, empowering entrepreneurs and expanding market opportunities for indigenous products through strategic partnerships aimed at driving sustainable economic growth.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Sir Cyril Chukwudi Eke Mba, the commitment was reiterated on Thursday when the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, received a high-powered delegation from the National Brand Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project at the Government House, Umuahia.

The delegation was led by the Executive Director of the project, Hon. Nwabueze George, alongside the Chairman of its Technical Committee, Alhaji Oladijoye Musiliu.

Addressing the delegation, Emetu said the administration of Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, remains focused on implementing policies that promote local production, stimulate enterprise development and accelerate industrialisation across the state. He noted that Abia’s economic transformation agenda is anchored on innovation, value addition, manufacturing and private sector-driven growth.

The Deputy Governor stressed that creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive remains a major priority of the present administration, adding that the government would continue to support initiatives capable of expanding economic opportunities for residents while improving the competitiveness of locally manufactured products.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Michael Enyinnaya Akpara, described Abia as one of Nigeria’s leading centres of entrepreneurship and manufacturing excellence. He expressed the state’s readiness to partner with the National Brand Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project to unlock fresh opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and showcase the quality of Abia-made products to wider markets.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the National Brand Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project, Hon. Nwabueze George, said the initiative was established to encourage the patronage of Nigerian-made products, strengthen indigenous brands and increase market visibility for local manufacturers.

He maintained that supporting domestic industries remains critical to job creation, wealth generation and national economic growth, while announcing that the 2026 National Brand Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project Exhibition will hold from September 22 to 26. The exhibition, he said, will bring together stakeholders from different sectors to showcase Nigeria’s innovation, creativity and manufacturing capacity.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the project’s Technical Committee, Alhaji Oladijoye Musiliu, commended Governor Alex Otti for his developmental strides and efforts to reposition Abia as an attractive destination for investment and enterprise. He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, manufacturers, investors and SMEs to deepen industrial growth and accelerate national development.

Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening local content development, expanding support for small and medium-sized enterprises, attracting strategic investments and improving the acceptance of Nigerian-made products in both local and international markets.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and SMEs, Dr. Okey Ihemanma; the Special Adviser on SMEs, Lady Chinwe Kanu; the Abia State Coordinator of the National Brand Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project, Mrs. Nwosu Chinyere; the Ministry’s Legal Adviser, Barr. Forgiveness Madukairo; and other government officials.