The Abia State Government has announced plans to attract investors from Turkey and other parts of Europe to revive moribund industries across the state, including textile, ceramic, and machine tools factories.
This was revealed during a press conference in Lagos by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Jerome Green-Amakwe, and the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu, ahead of the forthcoming Abia-Turkey Investment Summit and Product Exhibition.
Technical Adviser to the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Fidelis Uchenna Offor, explained that the initiative seeks to foster partnerships between foreign investors and local companies to revitalise existing industries while transferring technical expertise and modern technology.
“One of the things they are coming to do is not just to bring new investments. We have a lot of moribund industries whose owners are expected to sign Memoranda of Understanding with Turkish investors to revive them. They are coming with capital, technical know-how, and a willingness to train our people through technical management agreements,” Offor said.
He noted that the goal is to ensure a collaborative process where both local entrepreneurs and international investors benefit, with the state government playing a facilitative role to guarantee a fair and productive partnership.
Speaking further, Green-Amakwe disclosed that the Abia State Government will host the Abia-Turkey Investment Summit from November 25 to 27, 2025, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, under the theme “Bridging Continents, Unlocking Prosperity.”
According to him, the summit will attract business leaders from Turkey, Europe, and across Africa to explore opportunities in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, tourism, energy, infrastructure, trade, and logistics. It will also feature exhibitions, product showcases, and business-to-business (B2B) sessions designed to connect investors, exporters, and local enterprises.
“The administration of Dr. Alex Otti is committed to creating a favourable investment climate for the people of Abia and for investors willing to partner with the state. Our objective is to strengthen bilateral relations between Turkey, Abia, and Nigeria while showcasing our local products to international markets,” Green-Amakwe stated.
Commissioner Obiukwu added that the initiative is part of the government’s broader mission to reposition Abia as a leading hub for trade, commerce, and industrial innovation in Nigeria.
Under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti, our government remains steadfast in its commitment to economic transformation, industrial growth, and the empowerment of our people. We are determined to redefine Abia’s economic narrative and make the state a model of enterprise and opportunity in the Southeast and beyond,” she said.
