Abia State Governor Alex Otti says his administration is repositioning the state’s economy from conventional trading towards manufacturing and technology-driven commerce.

Otti made the statement on Monday in Umuahia during the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the theme, “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo.”

The governor said Ndigbo had historically built a strong reputation through trading but needed to increasingly focus on manufacturing and digital commerce as global business continues to change.

Addressing concerns over the growing presence of Chinese traders competing with Nigerian entrepreneurs in retail markets, particularly in Lagos, Otti said Abia was already taking steps towards a different economic model.

“We are leaving that level of trading. In Abia, we have markets. The markets are important. But we are moving from that level of marketing to manufacturing,” Otti said.

He said his administration was supporting manufacturing while also promoting digital delivery as an alternative to dependence on physical shops and conventional markets.

“So, this government is supporting manufacturing and driving digital delivery. We are leaving that physical store for digital delivery. So, when somebody talked about Alibaba, that is exactly where we are headed,” he said.

Otti maintained that Abia could combine its traditional trading base with manufacturing while embracing digital platforms that allow businesses to reach customers beyond physical locations.

“Abia is both manufacturing and then trading. But we are moving from conventional trading to digital trading. That is where the world is going. You either embrace it, or you risk being left behind,” he said.

The governor also highlighted the importance of preparing young people for the changing economy, saying his administration was investing in digital skills through initiatives such as TechRise.

According to him, some Abians who received training under the initiative were already working remotely from Aba for global technology companies.

Otti further assured the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide of the Abia Government’s continued support.

He described the 2026 Igbo Day theme, “Njikọ Ka,” meaning “Unity is Supreme,” as appropriate, saying it reflected the importance of unity in diversity.

The governor also said his administration had laid a solid foundation for the state’s development and expressed confidence that Abia would continue to record significant transformation.