Abia State Partners Made in Nigeria Project Office to Host National Products Fair 21st - 25th September, 2026

Abia State has taken another significant step in advancing Nigeria's industrialisation agenda by partnering with the Made in Nigeria Project Office to host activities for the National Products Fair 2026, a landmark initiative designed to promote indigenous manufacturing, innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment across the country.

The partnership underscores Abia's growing reputation as one of Nigeria's foremost manufacturing and enterprise hubs while reinforcing the Federal Government's commitment to strengthening local production and building globally competitive Nigerian brands.

Strategic Partnership for Industrial Growth

The collaboration was formally announced during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Made in Nigeria Project Office, led by its Executive Director and National Coordinator, Hon. Nwabueze George, to the Government House in Umuahia.

The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to align their vision for promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, supporting local industries, and creating new opportunities for manufacturers and entrepreneurs.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to accelerating industrial development through strategic collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments.

National Products Fair 2026 to Showcase Nigerian Excellence

A major highlight of the initiative is the National Products Expo 2026, which will serve as one of the flagship events of the National Products Fair.

The expo is expected to attract:

• Manufacturers

• Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

• Investors

• Innovators

• Development partners

• Policymakers

• Business leaders from across Nigeria

The event will provide a national platform for showcasing the quality, innovation, and competitiveness of Nigerian-made products while creating opportunities for business networking, investment promotion, technology exchange, and market expansion.

Organizers believe the expo will help connect local businesses with new domestic and international markets, strengthening the competitiveness of Nigerian enterprises.

Abia Reaffirms Commitment to Local Production

Receiving the delegation, Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu reaffirmed the Abia State Government's commitment to policies that encourage local manufacturing, industrialisation, and enterprise development.

He noted that the partnership aligns with the state's broader economic vision of building a stronger manufacturing economy capable of generating employment, attracting investment, and driving sustainable economic growth.

Abia has continued to position itself as a centre for industrial production, with its thriving manufacturing clusters, entrepreneurial ecosystem, and growing support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Boost for Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs

Also speaking during the visit, the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Michael Enyinnaya Akpara, described the collaboration as a major milestone for the state's business community.

According to him, the National Products Fair will expose Abia's manufacturers and entrepreneurs to wider markets, strengthen business partnerships, and enhance investment opportunities.

He emphasized that the initiative will further consolidate Abia's position as one of Nigeria's leading centres for manufacturing, innovation, and enterprise development.

Building Globally Competitive Nigerian Brands

Speaking on behalf of the Made in Nigeria Project Office, Hon. Nwabueze George reiterated the organization's commitment to promoting indigenous industries and strengthening confidence in Nigerian products.

He explained that the National Products Fair is designed to celebrate Nigerian ingenuity while providing businesses with greater access to markets, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

"The National Products Fair is designed to celebrate Nigerian ingenuity, connect businesses with new markets and encourage greater confidence in Made-in-Nigeria products. Through our partnership with Abia State, we are creating a platform that will benefit manufacturers, innovators, and investors alike."

His remarks reflect the broader objectives of the Made in Nigeria Project Office, which continues to champion policies and initiatives that encourage increased patronage of locally manufactured goods and support Nigeria's transition to a production-driven economy.

Driving Nigeria's Industrialisation Agenda

The National Products Fair 2026 is expected to play an important role in advancing Nigeria's industrialisation and economic diversification agenda.

By bringing together government institutions, manufacturers, investors, development partners, innovators, and entrepreneurs, the event will foster collaboration that supports industrial expansion, value addition, technology adoption, and business growth.

It will also provide a platform for highlighting Nigeria's manufacturing capabilities while encouraging investment across key sectors of the economy.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between Abia State and the Made in Nigeria Project Office demonstrates the growing momentum behind initiatives that promote local production, enterprise development, and investment-led industrialisation.

As preparations for the National Products Fair 2026 gather pace, expectations are high that the event will become one of Nigeria's premier platforms for showcasing indigenous products, strengthening market access, attracting investment, and celebrating the innovation of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Beyond the exhibition itself, the initiative represents a strategic investment in Nigeria's future, one that supports sustainable industrial growth, empowers local businesses, and reinforces the message that Made-in-Nigeria products can successfully compete in regional and global markets.