Abia State Government Signs MoU with MTN Nigeria to Drive Digital Transformation
UMUAHIA, Nigeria, May 14, 2025 – The Abia State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MTN Nigeria to advance the state’s digital transformation agenda, aiming to position Abia as a digitally empowered economy and innovation hub. The agreement, announced by Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu during a press briefing in Umuahia on Monday, follows months of negotiations and targets six key areas to enhance digital access and governance by the end of 2025.
The MoU outlines the following initiatives:
- 100% Broadband Coverage: Ensuring full population and geographic coverage of Abia with high-speed internet access before year-end, bridging the digital divide, especially in rural areas.
- Device Ownership Scheme: MTN will finance the acquisition of laptops, smartphones, and Wi-Fi devices for Abia civil servants to boost productivity and support digital governance.
- Digital Governance: Provision of cloud services and computing infrastructure to enhance transparency, efficiency, and public service delivery.
- Abia Digital Mall: Establishing a digital marketplace to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the informal sector, leveraging digital tools to drive growth.
- 4G and 5G Rollout: Deployment of 4G and 5G services in Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia to improve connectivity and support e-commerce and e-governance.
- Digital Marketplace: Creating a platform to facilitate e-governance and e-commerce, empowering businesses and government operations.
Governor Alex Otti hailed the partnership as a “bold move” to transform Abia into a digitally enabled economy, emphasizing youth empowerment and economic competitiveness. MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, described the initiative as a blend of infrastructure investment and public-private collaboration, aligning with MTN’s mission to deliver a modern connected life.
The initiative is expected to empower rural entrepreneurs, such as rice farmers in Abam or palm-produce traders in Ukwa East, to conduct business remotely, boosting socioeconomic growth. Kanu noted that the project could position Abia among the most digitally advanced states in Africa. Posts on X reflect positive sentiment, with users praising the partnership for its potential to enhance e-commerce and infrastructure.
This MoU builds on Abia’s ongoing digital efforts, including a partnership with ipNX for connectivity and managed network services, and aligns with Governor Otti’s vision of leveraging technology for good governance and inclusive development.
Sources: Nairametrics, Premium Times, THISDAYLIVE, Punch Newspapers, posts on X
