Abia State has strengthened its investment appeal as Zenith Bank Plc declared its strong commitment to partner with the state government to attract sustainable investments, reaffirming confidence in Governor Alex Otti’s economic reforms and credibility.

In his speech at the recent pre-event luncheon in Abuja for the Abia/Turkiye Investment Summit and Product Exhibition, the General Manager and Zonal Head of Zenith Bank, Carl Akwarandu, said the bank is willing and very much excited about Abia’s new investment direction.

According to Akwarandu, Zenith Bank, described as the biggest and most profitable bank in Nigeria, is prepared to provide both funding and financial advisory services to investors entering Abia under the Otti administration.

He emphasised that every investor prioritises security and return on investment, and that Abia has demonstrated strength in both areas.

“When we talk about partnership and collaboration to ensure that Abia State attracts sustainable investments, Zenith Bank is very willing. I’m very much involved.

I’m very much excited about the possibilities,” Akwarandu stated.

He attributed Abia’s rising profile in Nigeria’s investment map to Governor Alex Otti’s credibility and the competence of the team driving the state’s economic agenda, especially the investment promotion office led by Chief Greene Amakwe.

“For a bank to partner with a state government, one thing stands out: credibility. In Abia, the credibility of the governor is well established. Investors can come with confidence that their money is safe and government commitments will be kept,” he said.

Akwarandu pledged that Zenith Bank would not only support financing but also leverage both local and international networks to facilitate investor participation ahead of the upcoming Abia Investment Summit.

Speaking earlier, Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Investment and Promotion, Chief Greene Amakwe, said the state has launched a nationwide outreach involving press conferences, advertising, and targeted mobilisation, all geared towards positioning Abia as Nigeria’s next major investment destination.

“We are informing all Nigerians to come to Abia. We want to do business,” he said. Amakwe, who appeared alongside senior political allies described as his generals, stressed that the investment message is too important to deliver alone.

He noted that a united front of respected leaders is necessary to drive the state’s new economic vision. “The message is simple: we are hosting Nigeria, we are hosting the world, we are hosting everybody for one single thing — come and invest in Abia State,” he declared.

He added that visitors who will attend the investment summit will witness a transformed Abia State, markedly different from what many may remember in previous years.

According to him, several landmark developments now serve as visible symbols of the state’s progress. “Those who have been in Abia in the past — what you saw then is different. When you see the tower, you will be sure you are in Abia State. Otherwise, it will be difficult to know that you’ve entered Abia, because a lot of things have changed,” Amakwe said.

The special adviser reaffirmed the Otti administration’s determination to make Abia a competitive, business-friendly environment capable of hosting investors from across Nigeria and around the world.

On his part, Senator Darlington Nwokocha reinforced confidence in the government’s economic direction, noting that Abia now offers security, strategic location, and strong leadership for investors.

With Zenith Bank’s pledge, the state’s investment drive gains one of Nigeria’s most influential financial partners, an endorsement expected to boost investor confidence ahead of the forthcoming economic and investment summit.