EU Envoy Visits Abia, Endorses Otti’s Social Protection Drive

Abia State on Wednesday played host to a high-powered European Union (EU) delegation led by the Union’s Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, who threw his weight behind Governor Alex Otti’s people-centered social protection and poverty alleviation reforms.

The visit, which took place at the Governor’s country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South, came ahead of the official launch of the EU-funded “Support for Sustainable and Innovative Social Protection Systems”, the inauguration of the State Social Protection Council, and the handover of IT equipment to help update Abia’s social register.

Ambassador Mignot, accompanied by officials of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF, reaffirmed the EU’s status as Nigeria’s foremost trade and investment partner, stressing that the Union’s development support to Nigeria would not diminish but rather expand to foster jobs and opportunities.

He highlighted ongoing EU-backed initiatives in Abia such as solar-for-health projects, small hydropower interventions, rule of law support, and the upcoming commissioning of the state’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre. The envoy also underscored the EU’s focus on youth empowerment, revealing that the delegation earlier engaged students of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, on opportunities to study in Europe under the Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme.

Governor Otti, in response, expressed gratitude for the EU’s consistent support, emphasizing that his administration remains committed to the welfare, security, and prosperity of Abians. He welcomed the choice of Abia as one of four pilot states for the social protection programme, alongside Sokoto, Benue, and Oyo, pledging to keep the doors open for future collaborations.

The delegation later proceeded to the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia, for the official launch of the programme and the inauguration of the State Social Protection Council.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, described the visit as the fourth by EU teams within 19 months—an indication of Governor Otti’s reform-minded leadership. She explained that the 36-month programme will expand and update the state social register to capture more vulnerable households, making poverty alleviation interventions more sustainable.