Tremendous Opportunities in Abia for U.S. Business, Confesses Ambassador
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., has said that Abia State holds enormous investment prospects for American businesses, stressing that the State’s economic vision aligns closely with U.S. commercial interests.
Ambassador Mills made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti at his country home in Isialangwa South, where he commended the State government’s reforms and renewed focus on good governance.
“There are tremendous opportunities here for our business, our commercial interests, and for Nigeria,” Mills declared. “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 envoy praised Otti’s leadership style, pointing to improvements in infrastructure and security as indicators of a government working to create an enabling environment for investors.
He noted that his two-day visit to Abia was aimed at exploring concrete areas for cooperation and partnerships between U.S. investors and local businesses.
Governor Otti, in his response, described the Ambassador’s visit as a major endorsement of the reforms his administration has undertaken since assuming office. He emphasized that Abia’s priority is not aid or grants, but mutually beneficial collaborations that would unlock the state’s potential.
“We don’t believe in grants and aid; rather, we seek collaboration,” Otti said. “Abia is arguably the SME capital of Nigeria. With our reforms in education, healthcare, waste management, digital services, and especially our support for small and medium-scale enterprises, we are creating the right climate for investment.”
The governor highlighted ongoing projects in the commercial hub of Aba, especially efforts to improve power supply, infrastructure and industrial clusters. He assured that the state is ready to partner with international stakeholders to scale up its manufacturing and entrepreneurship capacity.
The Ambassador’s visit, according to observers, signals growing international attention to Abia’s economic revival agenda, with sectors such as textiles, leatherworks, agro-processing,
The two-day working visit is expected to deepen discussions on trade, investment, and technical partnerships, strengthening ties between Abia State and the United States at a time when the state is aggressively pushing to reposition itself as an investment destination in Nigeria’s South-East.
