Akwa Ibom State has entered a strategic partnership with digital solutions company T2 to accelerate technology growth, support startups, and build a vibrant innovation ecosystem that positions the state as a digital powerhouse in Nigeria’s South-South region.
The collaboration was announced by Governor Umo Eno during the opening of the Ibom Ignite Conference 2025 in Uyo — a youth-focused gathering centred on leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He said the partnership is part of his administration’s broader vision to drive economic diversification and create new opportunities for young people in the technology sector.
“We are committed to investing in the future of our youth by supporting innovation, startups, and human capital development,” the governor said, adding that the state is prioritising digital transformation as a catalyst for inclusive growth.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s technology landscape by fostering software development, artificial intelligence solutions, and startup incubation, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to scale their ideas. It also aligns with the state’s goal of shifting from an oil-dependent economy to one driven by knowledge, innovation, and human capital.
T2’s Chief Executive Officer described Akwa Ibom’s potential as immense, noting that the state could emerge as a major hub for software solutions, AI applications, and technology ventures if sustained investment and collaboration continue. “Human capital, not oil, will define the state’s future,” he said.
The Ibom Ignite Conference featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, and pitch contests for young innovators, as well as a T2 customer forum designed to improve user experience and service quality. Organisers said the event marked a significant step in positioning Akwa Ibom as a leading destination for tech-driven entrepreneurship and digital transformation in the region.
For MSMEs and young entrepreneurs, the state’s push into technology presents opportunities for business growth, access to new markets, and job creation in emerging sectors such as software development, data services, and digital solutions. With partnerships like this, Akwa Ibom aims to build a thriving innovation ecosystem that empowers its youth and drives long-term economic growth.
