Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced a new partnership with the Agriculture and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) to transform the state’s subsistence agricultural system into a thriving agribusiness sector.
Governor Otti revealed this on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, when he received a delegation from ARMTI led by its Executive Director, Dr. Olufeme Oladunni, at the Government House, Umuahia.
Upgrading Abia’s Farming System
Speaking during the meeting, Otti emphasized that over 70 percent of Abia residents are engaged in one form of agriculture or another, noting that his administration intends to help farmers transition from survival-level farming to business-oriented agriculture.
“This is a state where 70% of our people are involved in agriculture. However, only a small percentage engage in it commercially. We want to help our farmers upgrade because we believe agriculture is business,” Otti said.
He added that agriculture currently contributes about 24 percent of the state’s GDP, expressing confidence that with proper training, modern techniques, and the right partnerships, that figure can grow substantially.
“With climate-smart farming and structured training, agriculture can contribute even more to the GDP, create jobs, and generate revenue for government,” he said.
Empowering Youths Through Agribusiness
Governor Otti also highlighted the state’s recent investment in youth agricultural training. According to him, the government sponsored over 300 young Abians for intensive agricultural training at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State last year, and more than 298 participants are now active farmers.
“We’ve already seen results from our youth programs. Now, we’re ready to scale it up with ARMTI’s expertise,” he noted.
ARMTI Chooses Abia as Its Southeast Hub
The governor commended ARMTI for selecting Abia as the location for its Southeast regional headquarters, calling it a strategic and forward-thinking move.
“You couldn’t have made a better decision,” he told the ARMTI team. “Abia has the right people, fertile land, and supportive policies to make this partnership succeed.”
Otti directed the Director General of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) to provide all necessary support — including office space, accommodation, and logistics — to ensure ARMTI’s smooth operation in the state.
ARMTI Commends Otti’s Leadership
In his remarks, Dr. Olufeme Oladunni, ARMTI’s Executive Director, praised Governor Otti’s commitment to revitalizing agriculture and empowering youths. He explained that ARMTI’s mission is to train farmers and young people in modern agricultural management and value chain development.
He also mentioned the institute’s flagship Village Alive Development Initiative, which promotes community-based agricultural growth.
“We are ready to work closely with your government and agencies like GODA to create sustainable agricultural programs that will change lives in Abia,” Dr. Oladunni assured.
He further lauded Governor Otti for his “visionary and exemplary leadership,” describing the collaboration as a major step toward achieving food security and economic stability in the region.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Special Adviser on Agriculture, and the Director General of GODA, among other dignitaries.
