Governor Alex Otti has unveiled a N306 million tech-enabled business grant scheme for Abia State entrepreneurs. The initiative, called NKATA, targets business owners across all 17 local government areas.
Otti received the management team of the Abia State Technology Skills Acquisition Centre at the unveiling ceremony. He reaffirmed his commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people in the state.
The governor emphasized that the scheme was designed with inclusivity in mind. It aims to ensure that different categories of entrepreneurs can access the available funds across the state.
A total of N306 million has been set aside for beneficiaries of the programme. However, applicants must meet specific requirements to qualify for the grants.
"I want to congratulate everyone. The N306 million is available, but beneficiaries must meet all the necessary conditions," Otti said during the event.
He expressed confidence in the initiative's potential impact. "In a few months' time, I want to hear that this intervention has yielded results, not just in monetary terms, but in job creation, poverty reduction, and empowerment of our people," the governor noted.
According to him, the programme aligns with his administration's broader economic vision. His government wants to build a productive, self-reliant and innovation-driven economy.
Otti explained that his team deliberated extensively before launching the scheme. Officials ultimately decided that supporting youth through productive ventures was the right approach.
"The easiest way to spend money is to give it to people who consume it, but we will receive value when it is invested," Otti stated. "This is our own way of intervening."
He stressed that the grant targets productive business ventures. Such investments, he argued, generate long-term economic returns rather than short-term consumption.
NKATA forms part of broader empowerment initiatives by the state government. These programmes aim to equip Abians with skills and financial support for self-reliance.
Otti called on beneficiaries to use the opportunity responsibly. Expanding businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to the state's economic growth are crucial, he said.
Peter Ukonu, Director-General of ATSAC, described the programme as a strategic intervention. It targets poverty reduction and employment creation across the state, he noted.
Unlike traditional cash grants, NKATA deploys support through technology providers. This structure ensures resources go toward genuine business expansion and productivity.
"We are not giving cash to businesses directly. We are actually doing so through technology service providers," Ukonu explained during his presentation.
Business technology service providers and mentors will drive the initiative forward. They'll focus on deploying digital tools, automation, and artificial intelligence solutions.
Otti urged recipients to approach the grants with seriousness. Their success will determine the scheme's impact on Abia's economic landscape.
