Abia State Governor unveils State Wide Area Network

In a move to digitally transform and expand technology access in the state, the governor of Abia state Alex Otti has unveiled the State Wide Area Network, Internet, and Managed Network Services initiative.

Today marks a transformative milestone for Abia State as we officially flag off the Umuahia Dedicated Internet Access/Wide Area Network (WAN) Project at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat Complex, Umuahia. The project launches us into a new era where technology drives the… pic.twitter.com/DHjfAXLfY2

— Alex Otti (@alexottiofr) March 21, 2025

Otti during the ceremony, in Umuahia on Friday, said the project includes distributing high-performance digital tools, laying fibre optic cables in public institutions, and installing infrastructure for high-speed data transmission.

He added that the initiative focuses on improving leadership efficiency, empowering civil servants with digital tools, and enhancing service delivery.

Transitioning to digital platforms would streamline government processes, enable faster communication among Ministries, departments, and Areas (MDAs), and improve engagement with development partners and the global community.

The governor also announced a mandatory digital literacy requirement for civil servants, making proficiency in technology essential for career growth.

Assuring that while the government would provide training, those unwilling to embrace technology risk becoming uncompetitive in the evolving civil service structure.

Plans are underway to expand digital access across Abia, with an agreement already in place to lay fiber optic cables in Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia.

Otti directed the Chief Information Officer to ensure that within nine months, every community in Abia must have reliable network service, enabling businesses to thrive virtually.

The Governor urged the people of Abia to embrace technology as a tool for empowerment rather than a replacement for human roles as the use of technology ought to be on enhancing service delivery and economic development, as well as keeping human decision-making at the core of governance.

The commencement of the initiative marks a major milestone in Abia’s journey towards a fully digital economy.

Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, the Chief Information Officer of the State Government, described the project as a critical foundation for a digital government, emphasising its role in modernising service delivery.

Ilukwe said Phase I of the initiative prioritises multi-tenant buildings and complexes housing multiple MDAs and assured that MDAs not included in this phase would be covered in subsequent stages.

“Even as we are rounding off this phase, we are already preparing for the next, by the end of this service year, the entire government offices in Umuahia will be interconnected on a single network,” Ilukwe said.

The Group Managing Director of ipNX, Mr Ejovi Aror, expressed gratitude to Gov. Alex Otti for the opportunity to be part of the state’s digital transformation journey.

“This partnership signals the beginning of a new chapter in the journey towards building a digitally connected, technologically advanced, and economically empowered Abia State,” Aror said.

NAN/ Chidimma Gold