Abia Governor Launches N306m Tech Grant to Boost Businesses Across 17 LGAs

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has unveiled a ₦306 million technology-driven business grant named NKATA, designed to support enterprises in all 17 local government areas of the state.

The governor announced the initiative on Monday while receiving the management team of the Abia State Technology Skills Acquisition Centre. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and creating sustainable economic opportunities for the state’s youth.

Otti explained that the programme is structured to accommodate different categories of beneficiaries, ensuring inclusiveness and broader access to economic opportunities across the state.

He stated that while the full ₦306 million has been set aside for the grant, beneficiaries must meet all the necessary requirements. He expressed optimism that the intervention would deliver positive results within a few months.

“I want to congratulate everyone. The ₦306 million is available, but beneficiaries must meet all the necessary conditions. In a few months’ time, I want to hear that this intervention has yielded results, not just in monetary terms, but in job creation, poverty reduction, and empowerment of our people,” Otti said.

The governor noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s vision of building a productive, self-reliant, and innovation-driven economy. He said the government had carefully reviewed the initiative and was convinced it would help support the youth.

He emphasised that his administration deliberately chose to invest in ventures capable of generating long-term economic value rather than funding mere consumption.

“The easiest way to spend money is to give it to people who consume it, but we will receive value when it is invested, and that investment will yield returns. This is our own way of intervening,” the governor added.

Otti further disclosed that the grant project is part of a broader economic empowerment strategy aimed at equipping Abians with relevant skills and support to become self-reliant and employers of labour.

He urged beneficiaries to use the opportunity responsibly by expanding their businesses, creating jobs, and contributing meaningfully to the state’s economic growth.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Abia State Technology Skills Acquisition Centre, Peter Ukonu, described the programme as a strategic intervention to reduce poverty and create employment. He explained that NKATA operates through technology providers rather than direct cash handouts, ensuring that resources are used for business expansion and productivity rather than diverted to other personal expenses.