Akwa Ibom Trains 135 Youths In Digital Skills To Drive Tech-Based Employment
Government Reaffirms Focus on Digital Empowerment
AKWA Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through targeted digital skills development, describing technology-driven capacity building as a core pillar of the state’s development strategy.
The governor made the pledge while addressing 135 youths who graduated from a free, intensive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme at the ARISE ICT Hub in Uyo. The initiative aligns with the ARISE Agenda, the administration’s blueprint for economic growth, inclusion and job creation.
Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Mr. Frank Ekpenyong, Governor Eno said the state would continue to prioritise initiatives that equip young people with practical, future-ready skills capable of improving employability and entrepreneurship.
Partnerships to Expand Digital Opportunities
According to the governor, discussions are ongoing to deepen collaborations with public and private sector stakeholders within the ICT ecosystem. He noted that strategic partnerships are essential for scaling innovation, fostering startups and creating sustainable technology-based jobs for young people across the state.
Governor Eno congratulated the graduands for completing the rigorous training programme and commended the sponsor, the Personal Assistant to the Governor on Volunteer Services, Mr. Sunday Usikhifo, for designing an initiative that complements the state’s digital transformation objectives.
Programme Praised as Practical Youth Intervention
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youths Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, described the programme as a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to youth empowerment. He praised the sponsor for consistency and dedication to human capital development, noting that digital skills remain critical to addressing unemployment among young people.
Earlier, Mr. Usikhifo described the graduation ceremony as “a checkpoint in a journey powered by curiosity, persistence, and problem-solving.” He explained that the training was structured to move participants beyond basic computer literacy to hands-on competencies in building, securing and optimising digital systems.
Technology as a Tool for Social Impact
Usikhifo stressed that ICT goes beyond hardware and software, describing it as a powerful tool for communication, innovation and social impact. He urged the graduates to deploy their skills in solving real human problems, referencing the recently launched ARISE Youth Employment Portal as an example of how digital solutions can create opportunities at scale.
He further cautioned the graduates on ethical technology use, urging them to protect data, respect privacy and design inclusive digital systems that serve people and communities.
Recognition and Future Opportunities
Outstanding participants were recognised for high performance during the programme, while all 135 graduands received certificates of completion. The sponsor also hinted at post-training mentorship, internship placements and startup opportunities for exceptional participants.
Stakeholders from the technology ecosystem, government agencies and youth groups described the initiative as a significant step toward building a digitally skilled workforce and reducing unemployment in Akwa Ibom State.
