Abia State Governor Alex Otti has constituted a steering committee to identify and develop the state’s agricultural strengths, with a view to achieving food self-sufficiency, promoting industrialisation and making Abia a net exporter of agricultural produce.
Otti announced this on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the third Michael Okpara Memorial Lecture Series at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
The committee, to be chaired by the governor, will comprise representatives of the state government, the university, PAYAZA Africa Limited and other relevant stakeholders.
According to Otti, the committee will identify agricultural commodities in which Abia has a comparative advantage and recommend the investments, infrastructure and technological innovations needed to transform them into commercially viable enterprises.
He said the state would build on the agricultural vision of the late Michael Okpara, former Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, while adopting modern technology to improve production and expand the agricultural economy.
“I want us to start with Ulonna farm settlements. We may not go back to what Michael Okpara did in his days. We want to take it to this level now, where we introduce technology, and we don’t only want to be self-sufficient in food production; we want to be a net exporter of food from Abia State,” the governor said.
Otti also welcomed a proposal by the guest lecturer to establish an Agricultural Technology Hub at the university, describing it as complementary to the state’s plans for technology-driven agriculture. He invited the lecturer to join the steering committee.
The governor, who recently accompanied Vice-President Kashim Shettima to the inaugural Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Ethiopia, emphasised the need to combine Okpara’s agricultural legacy with technological innovation to drive economic growth.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, said Okpara’s vision demonstrated how agriculture could promote economic prosperity, industrial growth, employment generation and social advancement through investments in research, education, rural development and infrastructure.
Akanwa said the university had a responsibility to uphold the late premier’s legacy through the quality of its graduates, relevant research and contributions to agricultural development.
“Our task is to move beyond commemoration to action, translating his ideals into practical solutions that address contemporary challenges,” she said.
She described the lecture’s theme, “Leveraging Technology in Agriculture: Building Digital Rails for Food Security, Agro-Enterprise and Financial Inclusion,” as timely, noting that emerging technologies offered opportunities to improve agricultural production and farmers’ livelihoods.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, commended Otti for what he described as his performance and consistency in governance.
Edeh said Okpara’s leadership philosophy was rooted in courage, integrity, sacrifice, unity and service to society.
“True leadership is demonstrated through courage, integrity, sacrifice, unity, and tangible contributions to society — not merely through longevity in office or the positions one occupies,” he said.
The Chairman of the occasion, oil magnate Prince Arthur Eze, represented by Prince Emeka Eze, described Otti as a leading figure among the Igbo and urged leaders to emulate Okpara’s commitment to industrial development and employment generation.
Delivering the memorial lecture, the guest lecturer, Mr Seyi Ebenezer, urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace technology, digital innovation and modern business models in agriculture.
He identified drone technology, automated irrigation, artificial intelligence, algorithmic credit scoring, supply-chain logistics and cross-border financial technology as areas that could make farming more productive and profitable.
Ebenezer said technology should empower farmers to improve the quality, productivity and market value of their produce rather than replace farmers or the soil.
He also commended Otti for what he described as efforts to fix Abia State and change its negative narratives.
The event featured the unveiling of a statue of Okpara and attracted several dignitaries, including the late premier’s son, Chief Uzodinma Okpara.