BUA Group has called for stronger collaboration between state governments and the private sector to attract investment, accelerate industrialisation and create sustainable economic opportunities across Nigeria.
The call was made at the 2026 Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Meet the Governor Series in Lagos, where BUA Group served as Lead Sponsor and Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, presented his administration’s economic transformation and investment agenda.
The forum, themed “Repositioning Abia for Enterprise, Industrialisation and Sustainable Economic Growth,” focused on how state governments can create the infrastructure, institutions and policy environment needed to attract productive private-sector investment.
Speaking on behalf of BUA Group Founder and Executive Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Managing Director of BUA Foods Plc, Engr. Ayodele Abioye, said the economic transformation of Nigeria would increasingly depend on the ability of states to position themselves as competitive destinations for investment.
Abioye said subnational governments were critical drivers of infrastructure development, industrial growth, investment attraction and job creation.
He, however, stressed that government ambition must be matched by an investment-friendly environment characterised by transparency, policy consistency, regulatory certainty, security and adequate infrastructure.
“At BUA Group, we firmly believe that sustainable economic development is driven by enterprise, innovation and strategic private-sector participation,” Abioye said, adding that the principle continues to guide the company’s investments and collaborations across Nigeria.
Governor Alex Otti, who declared that “Abia is open for business,” used the platform to outline investment opportunities across the state, including agribusiness and agro-processing, trade and markets, manufacturing, industrialisation, SME development, creative and digital industries, inclusive finance, as well as diaspora investment and innovation.
Otti said his administration was deliberately directing public resources towards creating the conditions necessary for private businesses to thrive.
According to the Governor, 80 per cent of Abia State’s ₦1.016 trillion 2026 budget has been allocated to capital expenditure, with infrastructure identified as a major component of the government’s economic strategy.
“Enterprise needs infrastructure. Roads move goods, light creates safety, and movement creates commerce. Abia is building the physical platform for investments,” Otti said.
The Governor also identified opportunities in livestock and dairy, cashew and cocoa, rubber processing, garment manufacturing, ceramics, leather and tannery operations, healthcare, tourism, power, transportation and logistics.
He further highlighted planned industrial and commercial developments as part of efforts to reposition the state as a competitive destination for investors.
Abioye commended the Abia administration’s focus on enterprise, infrastructure and institutional reforms, saying the discussions around Abia reflected a broader need for stronger government-business partnerships across Nigeria.
He said such collaboration should ultimately translate into investments that increase local production, strengthen value chains, create jobs and expand economic activities.
The BUA Foods Managing Director reaffirmed BUA Group’s willingness to continue engaging governments and credible institutions committed to creating sustainable environments for enterprise and long-term investment.
Also speaking, the President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Abimbola Olashore, said Abia’s entrepreneurial culture, particularly Aba’s longstanding reputation for trade, manufacturing and indigenous enterprise, provided a strong foundation for further economic expansion.
Olashore stressed the need for predictable policies, responsive institutions, infrastructure, security and access to markets, describing government and the private sector as complementary partners in creating sustainable economic value.
The event was attended by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter; Professor of Economics at Lagos Business School, Prof Bongo Adi; senior policymakers, investors and business leaders.
BUA Group was recognised by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce as Lead Sponsor of the 2026 Meet the Governor Series, reflecting its continued support for platforms that promote engagement between government, investors and the organised private sector.
