Abia State is positioning itself as a major investment hub in Nigeria’s Southeast region, targeting billions of dollars in fresh foreign direct investment (FDI) as more than 40 Turkish firms and other international investors have confirmed participation in the forthcoming Abia–Turkiye Investment Summit and Product Exhibition (TURAB 2025).
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Chairman of the TURAB 2025 Steering Committee, Mr. Jerome Green-Amakwe, said the event is part of Governor Alex Otti’s deliberate strategy to attract credible investors and position Abia as a viable destination for industrial and commercial ventures.
“Already, we have confirmation from not less than 40 investors coming from Turkey for this programme,” Green-Amakwe stated.
“They are interested in agriculture, textiles, furniture, manufacturing, renewable energy, and construction. The expected investments run into several millions of dollars, and when converted to our local currency, it runs into billions.”
The summit, scheduled to hold from November 25 to 27, 2025, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, is being organised by the Abia State Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, in collaboration with VEGA Growing Global Enterprise.
Themed “Bridging Continents, Unlocking Prosperity,” the event seeks to deepen trade relations between Turkey and Abia while unlocking multi-sector opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, textiles, and infrastructure.
Green-Amakwe disclosed that the state had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VEGA to ensure a successful summit, adding that Governor Otti’s administration has continued to implement policies aimed at creating a friendly environment for business.
“The administration of Dr. Alex Otti is committed to making Abia attractive for investors,” he said.
“Through this summit, we are exploring opportunities across key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, fashion, tourism, energy, and trade logistics.”
According to him, the summit will also feature Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions between foreign investors and local entrepreneurs to promote partnerships, technology transfer, and joint ventures.
He revealed that the state government is working closely with chambers of commerce in Aba, Umuahia, Lagos, Kano, and Abuja to ensure wide participation and stakeholder linkage.
On her part, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Salome Obiukwu, reaffirmed the government’s readiness to host the summit and its commitment to inclusive economic growth.
“Our government remains unwavering in its pursuit of industrial development and the empowerment of our people. Adequate security and logistics arrangements have been concluded to ensure a hitch-free event,” she said.
Also speaking, Director of Projects at VEGA, Mr. John Onyemachi, said prevailing macroeconomic challenges globally could serve as an advantage for investors in Nigeria.
“With the depreciation of the naira, the dollar can purchase more locally, making it cheaper for investors to acquire production assets in Nigeria,” he noted. “If I bring in foreign capital, it becomes strategically cheaper to invest in naira, making it a win-win situation for investors.”
He added that the summit would promote partnerships between foreign investors and local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to drive industrial revival.
“The strategy is to encourage investors to partner with existing local companies where capacity already exists.
“They bring technical expertise and funding to revive industries and train our people,” he explained.
Onyemachi further disclosed that the government has identified several dormant industries, including the ceramic factory in Umuahia and textile and machine tool plants in Aba, which could be revived through the strategic partnerships expected to emerge from the summit.
The Abia–Turkiye Investment Summit, organisers said, represents a bold step by the Otti administration to strengthen trade diplomacy, attract global partnerships, and fast-track the state’s industrial renewal agenda.
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