Abia State Government (ABSG) on Monday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP as part of MSME infrastructure development.

Also same Monday, UNDP at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, activated a Manufacturing MSME Innovation Hub tagged University Innovation Pod (UniPod). ( Manu-Tech UniPod)

The Hub was said to be an Innovation Network infrastructure for local manufacturing, MSME productivity, engineering design, and enterprise development, and technology adoption, and a purpose-built space to develop practical solutions for Nigeria’s productive economy.

“The Nigeria Innovation Network is a nationally coordinated system of university-anchored Innovation and technology transfer hubs that were established through a partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria, TETFund, UNDP Nigeria, and participating universities. In attendance during the activation were the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima represented by the Education Minister Dr Olatunji Alausa,
Abia State governor , Dr Alex Chioma Otti, United Nations Assistant Secretary General & UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, Executive Secretary, TETFund, Architect Sonny S.T. Echono represented by Mr Suleman Zingina, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, MOUAU Pro-Chancellor, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, including the host MOUAU Vice Chancellor, Professor Ursla Ngozi Akanwa, among others.

Describing Abia state as a notable manufacturing hub in Nigeria, the Vice President underscored it as the most suitable location for the innovation hub, asserting that the Hub would complement the state’s long-standing reputation for enterprise and industrial production as well as help local talents translate their natural abilities into globally competitive innovations. Abia state, according to him, possesses abundant entrepreneurial talent on which sustainable industrial growth depends, thus creating the right environment for businesses to thrive, particularly through reliable electricity.

“The United Nations Development Programme could not have chosen a better state in the federation for this hub. ” Abia State is the centre of manufacturing activity. If you are talking of manufacturing, you need the natural local talent that is already in abundance in Abia”, he said. Executive Secretary of TetFund, Mr Soni Echono, who said that UniPod was designed to transform Tertiary institutions into innovation-driven hubs that support entrepreneurship, research, commercialization and national development, informed that the UNDP partnership would activate seven new Innovation Pods and facilitate the establishment of more across the country.

Elated by the choice of MOUAU for UniPod, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ursla Ngozi Akanwa, stated that the university would leverage the facility to strengthen its statutory mandate implementation, including agro processing, entrepreneurship, modernize manufacturing, ensure sustainable research, produce practical solutions, create wealth, employment and place Nigerian products for global competition. VC Akanwa expressed optimism that the UniPod facility would bridge research and enterprise, transform University idea into industry, business, and job creation, while advancing innovation and economic competitiveness.

Governor Alex Otti, in his address, stated that the MoU the state signed with the UNDP is a significant milestone in their evolving partnership, describing it as a solid foundation for impactful collaboration. “For Abia state , this MoU marks a significant time in our journey, and we can count on UNDP support because we now have a document that binds us to a shared vision,”, he said

Also, Ms Elsie Attafuah, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, said that the signed MoU, is not just a formality, but represents the commitment to co-investing in Abia for a better Nigeria. “It is the first landmark MoU we have signed within the framework of our Smart State Development initiative.” Lauding Abia State’s forward-thinking leadership led by Governor Otti, she cited UNDP’s support for the Aba Export Growth Laboratory that formally came into effect that day.

According to her, “Abia is increasingly becoming an epitome of what subnational governments can achieve through visionary leadership and strategic partnerships,” adding that the signed MoU is expected to position the state not only as a model for other states in Nigeria but also open new avenues for its growth. In her remarks, the United Nations Assistant Secretary – Secretary, Ahunna Eziakonwa, charged young Africans to be more innovative