Abia State has secured another major investment milestone as a proposed $145 million solar manufacturing plant in Umueleghele, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, has reached its Final Investment Decision (FID) stage, paving the way for construction to commence later this year.
Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti announced this while receiving a delegation of investors led by Dr. Oko Jaja at the Government House, Umuahia, on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
The Governor described the development as a significant endorsement of Abia’s improving investment climate and a reflection of growing confidence in the State’s economic transformation agenda.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress made by the investors, Governor Otti said the decision to commit as much as $145 million to the project underscored the confidence investors now have in Abia.
“I’m glad that at least you have reached the final investment decision, where you are investing up to 145 Million Dollars.
“That is very good. This is what we stand for: creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow and for people to invest.
“We had to do everything that was required to make the land available. And we would like to assure you that if there is any other thing that you need for this investment, do not hesitate to let us know,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor noted that attracting investments of such magnitude aligns with his administration’s vision of positioning Abia as a preferred destination for both local and international investors.
He stressed that beyond the capital inflow, the project would stimulate economic growth through job creation, increased productivity, and greater prosperity for the people.
Emphasising his administration’s commitment to investor protection and business sustainability, Governor Otti said: “It is not just the investment, it is what goes with the investment, the jobs that it will create; the GDP that will rise; and the prosperity that it will also generate. So, those are very important to us.
“So, we don’t take investors lightly. We try to protect them and make life easy for them. So, I want to encourage you to continue to do what you are doing. And as I said, if there is any way we can support, feel free to let us know.”
Earlier, the Team Lead of the investors, Dr. Oko Jaja, told the Governor that the delegation was at Government House to brief him on the substantial progress recorded toward establishing the solar manufacturing facility in Isiala Ngwa South.
He disclosed that the investors, working in partnership with Chinese technical partners, are committing approximately $145 million to the project.
He commended the Otti administration for creating an investment-friendly environment through improved infrastructure, ease of doing business and deliberate efforts to protect investments, all of which, he said, gave the investors the confidence to move the project forward.
Dr. Jaja further revealed that the first tranche of funding for the project is expected to be released by September 2026, signalling the commencement of the next phase of implementation.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of MD NWAKANMA NIGERIA Limited, Mr. Dennis Madu Nwakamma, said the company would establish the solar manufacturing plant in Umueleghele through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Abia State Government.
According to him, the visit by the company’s Chinese technical partners to the proposed project site formed part of the preliminary assessments preceding the commencement of construction, which is expected to begin by the end of September.
Mr. Nwakamma explained that beyond manufacturing solar panels and other renewable energy components, the project is designed to create employment opportunities for Abia youths through skills acquisition and technical capacity development.
He added that the company is already training young people in solar installation and related technologies. At the same time, selected workers would be sent to China for advanced training in solar manufacturing once operations commence.
He said the initiative would strengthen local technical expertise and position Abia State as a leading hub for renewable energy manufacturing in Nigeria.
Present at the meeting was the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, the Director-General of the Public-Private Partnership Office, and other senior government officials.