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| Photo credit — Abia State Governor “Alex Otti” |
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has called on Igbo traders to shift from traditional retail trading toward manufacturing and digital commerce, arguing that this is the surest way to stay competitive in a changing global economy.
Otti made the remarks on Monday in Umuahia during the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The event carried the theme “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo.”
Historically, Abia and the wider Igbo community have built strong reputations as traders. The governor said that reputation remains valuable, but the state is deliberately repositioning itself. Markets will continue to matter, he noted, yet the long-term focus is moving upstream into production and technology-enabled sales.
The comments came in response to growing concerns about Chinese traders entering retail spaces in Lagos and competing directly with Igbo entrepreneurs. Rather than framing the development only as a threat, Otti presented it as evidence that the rules of commerce are changing.
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“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,” he said.
“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.”
According to the governor, digital commerce will allow Abia-based entrepreneurs to reach customers far beyond physical market stalls and compete on a wider scale. He stressed that clinging solely to conventional trading models risks leaving businesses behind.
“So, why are the Chinese coming to compete with us? We are moving away from there. And it’s going to start in Abia.
“So, Abia is both manufacturing and 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.”
Otti linked the economic shift to concrete skills investment. His administration’s TechRise initiative trains young people in practical digital competencies. Some participants, he said, are already working remotely for global technology companies while based in Aba.
The programme forms part of a broader effort to build local capacity in software, digital marketing, data-related skills and other areas needed for modern commerce.
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On the cultural side of the gathering, the governor described the theme “Njikọ Ka” (Unity is Supreme) as appropriate. He told the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that his administration remains supportive of the organisation’s goals and emphasised that unity across differences remains essential for collective progress.
Otti added that his government has focused on laying foundations for sustained development and expressed confidence that Abia will continue to record measurable transformation.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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