NITDA, Others Laud Akwa Ibom’s Tech Development Initiatives

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has lauded the contributions of the Akwa Ibom Tech Community to the growth of infotech in Africa.

Abdullahi gave the commendation at the Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2023 held at Sheraton by Four Points Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, on Tuesday, noting that the programme “is on the rise” and that the “time is ripe for Akwa Ibom to transform Nigeria into Africa’s new tech destination.”

The NITDA boss, represented by Aristotle Onu, commended the Ibom Innovation Network, the community of innovators, hubs, the Akwa Ibom government, and other organisations and stakeholders that contributed to bringing the programme to reality.

“I trust that the seed you are sowing today will grow to positively impact your environment with innovative solutions to elevate the state and Nigeria in general into a higher echelon of sustainable economic development,” stated Abdullahi.

The President of the Ibom Innovation Network, Mr Hanson Johnson, stressed the need for investment in the tech ecosystem, urging the government and individuals to rally behind the entrepreneurs and innovators.

The CEO of Rapid River Software, Mr Nick Mardon, applauded the Ibom Tech Community for its milestone and recommended schooling, self-study, internship mentorship and connection as approaches to widening the tech development funnel in Akwa Ibom.

Speaking on branding and marketing Akwa Ibom as an emerging tech destination in Africa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Brand Management and Marketing, Mr Raphael Edem, said the seven hubs identified in the state nine years ago had 132 workers, trained 15,701 people and training at least 4,229 people, providing jobs and digital skills.

“In the ARISE Agenda, the Governor specifically states some of his strategies for the tech industry to include promoting home-grown digital hubs, building capacity for ICT and media stakeholders,” said Edem. “One of the easiest ways to make Akwa Ibom a tech destination is to keep people coming to the state for tech events.”

Edem added, “Right now, tech activities are majorly concentrated in Uyo, and it is rightly so for obvious reasons, with Eket and Ikot Ekpene coming at a distance. I believe the entire state is very fertile for the revolution.

“But we can start the expansion process by building the ecosystem in the form of activities around institutions like the Maritime Academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom State University in Mkpat Enin and Oruk Anam, College of Education in Nsit Ibom, and so on.”