The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has said there are tremendous opportunities in Abia State for American businesses and commercial interests.
Mills spoke on Friday during a visit to the state governor, Alex Otti, at his Nvosi country home in Isialangwa South.
He said, “There are tremendous opportunities here for our business, our commercial interests, and for Nigeria. Your administration’s commitment to fostering economic growth, empowering youth, and creating a more transparent and accountable government really aligns very closely with our goals and what U.S. business needs to see if it is going to invest.”
The Ambassador praised Otti’s leadership style, describing it as a powerful example of how to improve governance.
He explained that his visit to Abia was to discover more opportunities in the state and explore ways the United States could partner with Abia to advance shared goals.
“Your leadership in Abia has brought real change, a positive change. Your focus on infrastructure and tackling security challenges has really transformed the state. We believe it is a powerful example of how to improve governance across the South-East,” Mills added.
In his response, Governor Otti described the Ambassador’s visit as an endorsement of his administration and expressed his government’s willingness to partner with the U.S. in key sectors.
“We know that it is not all the time that the American government visits a state. For us, it is a mark of endorsement. In terms of partnership, we don’t believe in grants and aid; rather, we seek collaboration. There is a lot of value we can add by working together. This is probably the SME capital of Nigeria,” Otti said.
He also highlighted his administration’s reforms in healthcare, education, waste management, SMEs, and digital technology, expressing delight over the Ambassador’s two-day working visit, which he described as another vote of confidence in the state government.
Governor Otti, elected in March 2023 under the Labour Party, has positioned Abia as an investment-friendly state through reforms aimed at fiscal transparency, SME growth, and infrastructure renewal.
His administration has consistently courted foreign investors, assuring them of improved security and ease of doing business.
The United States has remained a key economic partner with Nigeria, with bilateral trade valued between $11-13B in 2023, according to U.S. government data.
Otti has also recently hosted delegations from international agencies and development partners, signalling Abia’s push to attract global investment beyond federal allocation.
The PUNCH
