A National Icon and Visionary Leader - Dr. (Mrs.) Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu: Pioneering Trade and Commerce Transformation in Abia State

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A National Icon and Visionary Leader - Dr. (Mrs.) Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu: Pioneering Trade and Commerce Transformation in Abia State

In a decisive move to strengthen governance and inject innovative ideas into Abia State’s administration, Governor Alex Otti swore in Dr. (Mrs.) Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu as the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce on September 23, 2025. This cabinet reshuffle is part of the Governor’s broader strategy to rejuvenate the executive council with visionary leaders capable of delivering on the “New Abia” agenda.

Dr. (Mrs.) Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu
Commissioner for Trade and Commerce 

A New Chapter for Trade and Commerce in Abia State

Dr. Obiukwu succeeds Mr. Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity. A native of Uturu in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Dr. Obiukwu brings a deep understanding of both the local business environment and the broader economic landscape of Abia State. Her appointment signals a renewed focus on fostering trade growth, modernizing markets, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Strategic Focus of the Ministry

The Ministry of Trade and Commerce under Dr. Obiukwu’s leadership is positioned at the forefront of the “New Abia” initiative, a blueprint designed to stimulate economic growth, attract investment, and elevate the state’s commercial profile. Key priorities include:

  1. Market Modernization in Aba
    Aba, often regarded as the commercial heartbeat of Abia State, is home to numerous local businesses, artisans, and traders. Dr. Obiukwu’s administration aims to modernize market infrastructure, introducing digital management systems, improving facilities, and ensuring safer, more organized commercial spaces for both traders and customers.

  2. Business-Friendly Policies
    Creating an environment conducive to entrepreneurship is central to the Ministry’s agenda. Streamlining trade regulations, facilitating access to finance, and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are expected to catalyze local economic development.

  3. Investment Promotion
    Abia State has vast potential for industrialization and trade expansion. Under Dr. Obiukwu, the Ministry will engage investors both locally and internationally, highlighting opportunities in manufacturing, agro-processing, and retail, particularly in Aba’s thriving markets.

  4. Empowering Local Traders and Artisans
    Recognizing that the backbone of Abia’s economy lies in its traders and artisans, Dr. Obiukwu plans to implement training, capacity-building programs, and initiatives that strengthen local production, branding, and market competitiveness.

Leadership Vision

Dr. Obiukwu’s leadership style combines practical experience with a progressive outlook. Her vision aligns with Governor Otti’s ambition to make Abia State a model of economic transformation and trade excellence in Nigeria. By leveraging strategic reforms, digital tools, and market-focused policies, she aims to position Aba not just as a commercial hub for the South-East but as a national and international trade destination.

Looking Ahead

With Dr. (Mrs.) Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu at the helm, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Abia State’s economic future. From modernizing markets to supporting SMEs, fostering industrialization, and attracting investors, her tenure promises to deliver tangible results that will benefit traders, entrepreneurs, and citizens alike.

Abia State’s commercial landscape stands on the cusp of transformation, and under Dr. Obiukwu’s stewardship, the promise of a modern, thriving, and investor-friendly trade environment is becoming a reality.

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