Gov. Otti Reaffirms Readiness to Partner with Investors on Abia Stadium City Project to Boost State Economy

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to partnering with credible private investors for the development of the proposed Abia Stadium City, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating economic growth and enhancing the state’s global visibility in sports, tourism, and infrastructure.

Governor Otti made this known while receiving a delegation led by Mr. Nigel Neely, Managing Director of the Irish Development Group (IDG), who presented the master plan for the Stadium City at the Government House, Umuahia.

Speaking during the meeting, the Governor revealed that the state has been actively working on the stadium project and is seeking investors with both the capacity and willingness to invest in Abia. He emphasized the importance of private sector participation to ensure the successful execution and long-term sustainability of the project.

“We’ve been on this stadium project and have pushed very hard because we know what we want to achieve. Listening to your presentation, it’s clear that you understand the vision. The project looks feasible, and I’m glad you’ve inspected the site,” Governor Otti stated.

He highlighted that the state government intends to retain only a minimal equity share—between 10% and 20%—to encourage majority private investment and operational independence beyond his administration’s tenure.

“What we need now is to sit down and fine-tune the details—funding, ownership structure, timelines. The devil, as always, is in the details,” he added.

Governor Otti also praised the choice of location for the project, describing it as strategically positioned—not too far from the city and in proximity to the proposed new airport—making it ideal for a multi-functional sports and recreation hub.

“We chose that location carefully. It’s accessible and close to the new airport. You want a stadium city where people can watch games, shop, stay in hotels, and even go on holiday. Everything should be in one integrated space.”

On infrastructure support, the Governor assured that power supply would not be a challenge. He revealed ongoing plans by the state to acquire the Umuahia ring-fence of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which would provide steady electricity to Umuahia and Abia North.

In his presentation, Mr. Neely described the Abia Stadium City as a transformative and visionary project. Spanning 96 hectares in Umuahia, the development will feature a state-of-the-art stadium, games village, high-performance training centre, smart residential district, and a hospitality and tourism zone with modern resorts and hotels.

“This project aims to position Abia as a premier destination for sports, business, tourism, and leisure,” Mr. Neely said. “We are excited to be part of this transformative vision under the leadership of Governor Otti.”

Key government officials, including the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadinma Ananaba, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu, were present at the meeting and expressed strong support for the project.

The Abia Stadium City is expected to not only serve the region but also attract national and international interest, creating jobs, stimulating commerce, and reinforcing Abia’s status as a rising economic hub.