Governor Alex Otti has announced a groundbreaking partnership with private investors to develop the Abia Stadium City, a transformative project aimed at boosting the state’s economy and creating a sustainable future. The announcement was made during a meeting on Tuesday with a team of development partners led by Mr. Nigel Neely, Managing Director of the Irish Development Group (IDG), who presented the master plan for the proposed 96-hectare complex in Umuahia.
Governor Otti emphasized the importance of private sector involvement to ensure the project’s success and long-term sustainability. “We’ve been pushing hard on this stadium project because we know what we want to achieve,” Otti said. “With private sector involvement, sustainability is guaranteed, even beyond my tenure.” He proposed that the government hold a maximum of 10-20% stake, leaving the majority to private investors to drive the initiative.
The Abia Stadium City is envisioned as a world-class, multi-functional sports and entertainment complex. According to Neely, the project will feature a state-of-the-art stadium, a high-performance training center, a games village, modern residential districts with smart housing, and a hospitality and tourism zone with hotels and resorts. The development is designed to position Abia State as a premier destination for sports, tourism, business, and recreation, attracting both regional and global attention.
Otti highlighted the strategic location of the site, noting its proximity to the new airport under construction and its accessibility without being too close to the city center. “The site is ideal—not too far, not inside. You can get to the stadium village, find accommodation, shop, or even go on holiday,” he said. The governor also assured that power supply would not be a challenge, as his administration is finalizing plans to acquire the Umuahia ring-fenced area of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, ensuring reliable electricity for Umuahia and the broader Abia North zone.
Neely expressed enthusiasm for the project, describing it as a bold step toward realizing Governor Otti’s transformative vision for Abia State. The next phase involves detailed discussions between the government and the IDG team to finalize funding, cost estimates, ownership structure, and implementation timelines.
The meeting was attended by key government officials, including the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadinma Ananaba, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu.
