Abia State Takes Bold Step Toward Digital Transformation
In a defining move to accelerate Abia’s digital transformation, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has inaugurated the Board of the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Center (ASTSAC). The new initiative marks a major step in the state’s plan to drive innovation, empower youth, and position Abia as a leading hub for technology and human capital development in Nigeria.
The inauguration, which took place shortly after the State Executive Council meeting on Monday, officially marked the beginning of a new era for technology-driven human capital development in the state. At the center of this initiative is Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a globally acclaimed technologist, inventor, and thought leader known for his work in embedded systems and innovation ecosystems, who has been appointed Chairman of the newly constituted Board.
Governor Otti described the team as “some of the finest minds in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem,” emphasizing that their selection was based purely on merit and professional excellence rather than political or geographical considerations. “The era of parochialism in public service is over,” he said. “This team will think beyond Abia and build a technology-driven future for the entire Igbo nation and Nigeria at large.”
The Board’s mission is clear: to transform Abia into a center of technological competence and digital empowerment. The Center will focus on equipping young people with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century economy, from software development and robotics to renewable energy and digital entrepreneurship. In his inaugural remarks, Prof. Ekekwe reaffirmed his lifelong belief that “mines of knowledge, not gold or diamond or silver, will connect Africa to a greater destiny.” He explained that through ASTSAC, Abia would build “mines of knowledge, places where skills, ideas, and capabilities are extracted, refined, and multiplied, just as crude oil is refined into petrol.” From Aba to Ohafia, Umuahia to Ukwa, he said, the goal is to transform Abia’s youth into builders of prosperity.
The Board is already drafting a comprehensive roadmap for Abia’s digital transformation, integrating insights from stakeholders across the state while aligning with global best practices. This plan will serve as the blueprint for skill acquisition, innovation, and entrepreneurship programs designed to prepare the state’s youth for emerging global opportunities.
Abia has long been home to one of Nigeria’s most industrious populations, particularly in manufacturing and trade. But as the digital economy reshapes industries, the state faces a crucial turning point, one that requires transitioning from manual productivity to digital creativity. ASTSAC represents the structural response to that challenge. It will serve as both a training hub and an innovation incubator, connecting local talent to global opportunities. For young people, this could mean access to certified digital and technical training, support for innovation-driven enterprises, and integration into national and international technology ecosystems.
Engr. Peter Ukonu, the Center’s Director-General, who was recalled from the United Kingdom to lead operations, has been tasked with driving strategic partnerships across academia, industry, and the global tech community. Prof. Ekekwe noted that collaboration will be central to ASTSAC’s success. “Our Director-General is ready and available to discuss partnerships with individuals, organizations, and investors who share our vision,” he said. “Execution will involve everyone, because knowledge has no borders.”
Governor Otti assured the Board of full government support, promising policy alignment, infrastructure development, and inter-agency collaboration to ensure smooth execution. “Abia will become a leading innovation hub in Nigeria and West Africa,” he declared. “This is not a dream, it’s a deliberate strategy.”
The inauguration of ASTSAC is more than an administrative milestone; it signals a cultural and economic shift. Otti’s administration is setting the tone for what a subnational technology policy can look like in Nigeria, one rooted in knowledge, inclusion, and measurable impact. With Prof. Ekekwe’s globally informed leadership and a high-caliber team, Abia is positioning itself as a beacon of human capital development in Africa’s digital transformation journey.
As Prof. Ekekwe put it, “Every child in Abia, regardless of location or background, must have access to digital literacy and equal opportunity to thrive in the knowledge economy.”