December 17, 2025
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has assented to the Startup Bill passed by the House of Assembly, formally enacting it as the Abia State Startup Law 2025.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.
Kanu explained that the Startup law was designed to domesticate and implement the Nigerian Startup Act 2022 in Abia State, providing a legal framework to promote innovation, support tech-enabled businesses and nurture digital talent.
According to him, the law applies to companies with substantial operations in Abia as well as startups duly recognised and labelled under the national Act, positioning the state as an emerging technology and innovation hub.
The commissioner also announced the unveiling of a state-owned electric bus mass transit initiative under the Abia Transport Transformation Project.
He said the first batch of 20 electric buses arrived in November, with an additional 20 expected early next year, noting that about 100 buses would be deployed in the project’s first phase.
Kanu stated that the 40-seater electric buses, custom-built for Abia, can travel up to 400 kilometres on a single charge and are equipped with modern safety and comfort features, including surveillance cameras, charging ports, disability access, emergency exits and fire extinguishers.
He said the initiative would position Abia as a leader in clean, environmentally friendly mass transit in Nigeria.
Kanu further disclosed that the Abia 25-Year Development Plan would be unveiled at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, with development partners, traditional rulers, local government chairmen and other stakeholders expected to attend.
On healthcare, he said the Abia Global Medical Mission commenced on Monday and would run until December 20, 2025, offering free advanced medical services across designated centres.
He added that 850 youths would graduate from the second cohort of the Abia Techrise ICT Training Programme on Saturday, bringing the total number trained under the initiative in 2025 to 1,399.
Kanu also said the Ministry of Works was carrying out direct labour interventions on major roads ahead of the festive season, while security agencies had been placed on full alert to protect lives and property across the state.
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