The Abia State Government has entered a strategic partnership with MTN Nigeria to accelerate its digital transformation agenda under Governor Alex Otti’s administration, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that targets comprehensive technological upgrades across the state. Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu announced the collaboration following a State Executive Council meeting, revealing that the agreement focuses on six key areas, including universal broadband coverage, civil servant device financing, cloud computing services, and enhanced e-commerce infrastructure. The deal mandates MTN to ensure 100% broadband coverage across Abia by the end of 2025, with plans to roll out 4G and 5G networks in Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia before year-end.
As part of the initiative, MTN will finance laptops, smartphones, and Wi-Fi devices for state civil servants under a device ownership scheme, while establishing a digital mall to boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through e-commerce tools. The partnership also includes cloud service provisions to streamline digital governance, enabling remote access to public services. Kanu emphasized that the project would empower rural communities, allowing farmers in areas like Abam, Bende, and Ukwa East to conduct agribusiness digitally. The first phase of the state’s digital overhaul, handled by ipNX, is already deploying internet and managed network services.
Kanu described the MTN collaboration as the product of months of negotiations, framing it as a critical step toward positioning Abia as a leader in Africa’s digital economy. “This transformation will revolutionize how our people work and trade, placing Abia on the global map of tech-driven governance,” he stated, highlighting expectations for increased efficiency in public service delivery and SME growth. The state government has not disclosed financial details but affirmed that the MoU aligns with broader efforts to leverage technology for socio-economic development,
