The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, has concluded a two-day visit to Abia State, with discussions focused on deepening cooperation in digital transformation, investment, energy, education and economic development.
The visit underscored the United Kingdom’s interest in strengthening its partnership with Abia and supporting efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, job creation, innovation and investment.
During the visit, Baxter met with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and held engagements with civil society and electoral stakeholders. He also toured the Geometric Power Plant and participated in the State-Level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation (SPRIRET) programme under the UK’s Digital Access Programme.
The SPRIRET engagement brought together public and private sector stakeholders to examine ways of strengthening the policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks needed to support inclusive digital transformation in the state.
At his meeting with Governor Otti, Baxter discussed opportunities to expand UK-Abia cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education, energy and digital development. The discussions also touched on democratic governance, preparations for forthcoming elections and the need for a peaceful and inclusive political environment.
Baxter said Abia’s entrepreneurial strength was being supported by what he described as a positive policy environment, adding that the UK was prepared to build on the existing relationship.
“Abia is one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial states, and that energy is now being matched by a positive policy environment. Throughout this visit, I have been struck not only by the ambition, innovation and determination I have encountered, but by the deliberate steps the Governor has taken to create the conditions for that ambition to thrive,” he said.
On digital transformation, the envoy said the UK would continue supporting Abia through its Digital Access Programme and the SPRIRET initiative.
“The same is true in the digital space. Digital transformation depends on getting the policy and regulatory environment right, and we are responding to Abia State’s demonstrated desire to do exactly that. The United Kingdom is proud to support Abia’s digital transformation through our Digital Access Programme and the SPRIRET initiative,” Baxter said.
He added that the UK looked forward to further strengthening its relationship with Abia as part of the broader UK-Nigeria strategic partnership.
Governor Otti thanked the Deputy High Commissioner and his team for visiting the state, saying Abia was open to partnerships that could accelerate its economic development.
He expressed optimism that the engagement would result in stronger government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships to support the state’s economic transformation.
Otti also welcomed Baxter’s visit to the Geometric Power Plant, stressing that reliable electricity remained critical to the growth of Abia’s manufacturing and business sectors.
According to the governor, unreliable electricity imposes additional costs on businesses through dependence on generators, diesel and maintenance.
“Once you have reliable power, whatever the cost is, it is still going to be cheaper than not having reliable power,” Otti said.
The governor said his administration was working to extend reliable electricity supply beyond Aba and was seeking the necessary rights to enable Abia operate as an integrated power market, leveraging infrastructure already provided by Geometric Power.
Otti also highlighted Aba’s established manufacturing base, particularly in footwear, garments and other locally produced goods.
He said the state government was working with development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to improve the finishing and packaging of locally manufactured products and expand opportunities for their export.
The governor further assured the British delegation that the state government would participate in the Digital Access Programme engagement and continue working with the UK team to identify practical areas of collaboration.
