Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Sets To Transform, Redefine Africa’s Entrepreneurial Future, From Oil To Opportunities
Umo Eno Sets To Transform, Redefine Africa’s Entrepreneurial Future, From Oil To Opportunities
Umo Eno sets to transform, redefine Africa’s entrepreneurial future, from Oil to opportunities. Governor Umo Eno’s drive in entrepreneurship development demonstrates how proactive government intervention can transform a region’s business ecosystem.
His model and action plan shows that with the right policies—such as entrepreneurship education, access to finance, streamlined regulations, targeted support for small businesses, and strategic public-private partnerships—a government can create an enabling environment that scales enterprise action and drives economic growth, all while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity.
In a rapidly evolving global economy, Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria is positioning itself as a leading hub for entrepreneurship, industrialization, and innovation.
With its strategic location in West Africa’s fastest-growing economic corridor, a young and skilled workforce, and a pro-business government led by Governor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom is transforming into a regional center for MSME growth, digital innovation, and sustainable industrialization.
Recognizing the US$331 billion MSME financing gap in Africa and the immense opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the Governor’s hallmark is scaling high-growth and globally competitive enterprises.
Globally, entrepreneurship is recognized as a catalyst for economic transformation, particularly in emerging economies. The MSME sector contributes up to 60% of GDP in many developing countries; however, in Nigeria, only about 15% of MSMEs scale beyond subsistence levels due to structural barriers.
This highlights the urgent need for an enabling environment that supports small and medium enterprises—a challenge that Akwa Ibom is deliberately addressing.
Akwa Ibom’s economic landscape offers a thriving consumer and trade market, with Nigeria’s largest sub-national economy providing access to a consumer base of over 200 million people.
The state’s proximity to the AfCFTA trade zone, valued at US$3.4 trillion, offers seamless export opportunities. Infrastructure developments, such as the Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City when done will drive global trade and position the state as a key player in the international market.
Governor Umo Eno’s commitment is evident through massive investments in entrepreneurship education and development, improved access to finance, tax incentives, business reforms, and ease-of-doing-business initiatives that streamline licensing, company registration, and digital governance.
The state’s focus on key sectors—such as agriculture and agribusiness, tourism, infrastructure, education, healthcare, rural development, the digital economy, and tech innovation, as well as women and youth entrepreneurship—is beginning to yield tangible results.
In agriculture, Akwa Ibom is leveraging its fertile land and favorable climate to become an export-driven hub for cassava, palm oil, cocoa, and fisheries processing. Moreover, the state prioritizes women-led businesses and youth entrepreneurship through dedicated funding, training, and market access initiatives.
It is interesting to note that Akwa Ibom’s entrepreneurship strategy aligns with global sustainable development goals. It contributes to poverty reduction and the creation of decent work, fosters gender equality by supporting women-owned enterprises, strengthens industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and promotes global partnerships for sustainable growth.
The state actively collaborates with foundations, impact investors, venture capitalists, and international development agencies to finance MSMEs, education programs, social impact initiatives, and the digital transformation drive, while encouraging local businesses to scale into global supply chains.
The engagement model is built around capital investment and innovative financing strategies, including blended finance approaches that combine public-private partnerships, grants, and concessional lending.
There is also a strong focus on capacity building and enterprise development through IBOMLED, with technical partnerships with global accelerators, transformation programs, and training initiatives. Additionally, Akwa Ibom is establishing robust market linkages and trade partnerships to ensure local businesses can access international markets and scale rapidly.
It is noteworthy that the institutionalization of the EAP program at IBOMLED has empowered entrepreneurs for sustainable growth. The focus on incubation, acceleration, and support for early-stage businesses in agriculture, tech, manufacturing, and creative industries is remarkable.
The program facilitates startup financing and venture capital, offers capacity-building initiatives to train entrepreneurs in financial literacy, digital marketing, and business management, and supports women and youth entrepreneurship through a gender-inclusive model, positioning them for tech-enabled and green economy jobs. Without a doubt, this approach aligns with the SDGs and global development goals.
Umo Eno
Clearly, Akwa Ibom offers a compelling opportunity for investors and development partners. For investors, the state presents high-return opportunities in a fast-growing economy underpinned by government-backed incentives and a large consumer market. For development partners, collaborating with Akwa Ibom means contributing to the creation of a globally competitive, entrepreneur-driven economy that fosters sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Scaling Africa’s next generation of innovative businesses, creating jobs, driving prosperity, and contributing to a competitive economy on the world stage is Governor Umo Eno’s signature ideal through the ARISE AGENDA.
Akwa Ibom State is not only a beacon of economic transformation but also a model of sustainable development.
With the right investments, partnerships, and a shared commitment to progress, Akwa Ibom is redefining Africa’s story in entrepreneurship and industrial innovation.
Akwa Ibom LG Receives The Newly Deployed Senior Security Officers To The Community
Akwa Ibom LG receives the newly deployed senior security officers to the community. In a significant step towards fostering a safer and more harmonious community, the Executive Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Hon. Ntiedo Usoro, welcomed the newly deployed Unit Commander, DSP Akin, and Army Commander, Captain Igbe, who will spearhead operations and the Joint Task Force (JTF) respectively.
The visit was to formally familiarize themselves with the Executive Chairman and establish a cordial working relationship for the effective discharge of their assigned duties and responsibilities.
Akwa Ibom
The Council Boss reaffirmed his resolute commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Army, the Police, and other security agencies to ensure the security and safety of lives and properties of Essien Udim residents, business owners, and visitors, highlighting that security is vital for societal advancement and progress.
The visit was witnessed by the Chief to the Executive Chairman, Sir Uduak Isobara.
Umo Eno Advocates Promotion Of Akwa Ibom Dialects, Assures On Inclusive Governance
Umo Eno advocates promotion of Akwa Ibom dialects, Assures On Inclusive governance as Ati Annang inaugurates 6th Executive Council.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, has emphasised the need to promote and preserve local dialects, especially, in the face of globalisation and cultural homogenisation.
The Governor stated this on Saturday, at the Annual General Meeting, Official Presentation of the Harmonized Orthography of Anaañ Language Curriculum and Swearing-in of the 6th Executive Council of Ati Annang Foundation, held at the Foundation’s Secretariat in Ikot Ekpene LGA.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, Governor Eno while commending the Ati Annang Foundation for developing a National Educational Research and Development Council-approved Harmonised Orthography of Anaañ Language, Curriculum, and Teachers’ Guide, noted that language plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and values.
He acknowledged Anaañ as one of the most intense languages, blessed with passionate and wise words.
The State Chief Executive encouraged parents to speak their local languages with their children, stressing that it would enhance their mastery of the English language, as well as promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
“Let’s speak our local languages more and let’s proudly speak them with our children to help them relate with the contents of the orthographies. Speaking vernacular doesn’t detract from the mastery of the English Language. Rather, it enhances it.
I believe learning our local languages can promote critical thinking, enhance creativity and imbue people with problems-solving skills”, he noted.
While tasking the new Executive Council of Ati Annang Foundation on unity, Governor Eno reiterated his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, through even spread of projects, appointments, and infrastructures to all parts of the state.
“As an administration, we will uphold the principle of inclusive governance by spreading projects, appointments and infrastructures to all parts of the State.
Our One Project Per Local Government Area, road projects and empowerment schemes are carefully conceived and consciously executed in furtherance of this philosophy of reaching all Akwa Ibomites in all parts of the State”, Eno added.
Earlier the Chairman on the Occasion, Paul Usoro, SAN, described the event as an avenue to re-echo the rich cultural heritage of Annang Nation and appreciated guests for finding time to grace the ceremony.
Ati Annang inaugurates 6th Executive Council
On his part, the immediate past President of Ati Annang, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, expressed gratitude to past leaders of the group for their sacrifices towards the growth of the organisation and successful launch of the Harmonised Annañ Language Orthography.
He requested for the state government’s approval for Annañ language to be taught as a subject in primary and secondary schools, beginning from the next academic session.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated International President of the Foundation, Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang, while appreciating members for the confidence reposed in him, promised to work tirelessly with them and explore news ways to reposition the organisation for greatness.
Goodwill messages were received from the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, represented by Hon. Jerry Otu of Ikot Ekpene State Constituency, Chairman of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, Elder Aniekan Akpan, Itai Afe Annang V, HRM Akuku Blaise Awaka Ama, Obong Michael Afangideh, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, DIG Ekpo Udom, amongst others.
Akwa Ibom APC Leaders Allegedly Accuses Akpabio Of Betraying The Party
Akwa Ibom APC leaders allegedly accuses Akpabio of betraying the party. Some founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of betraying the party and allegedly working to weaken it in pursuit of his third-term ambition.
According to The Punch, it was reported that the party stalwarts, made these claims in a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, a copy of which was made available to a correspondent in Uyo on Sunday.
In the letter, which was jointly signed by Elder Okokon James (Uyo Senatorial District), Peter Ibanga (Eket Senatorial District), and Chief Victor Affiah (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District), they called for urgent intervention to prevent the party’s collapse in the state.
The letter, titled “Worrisome State of APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Urgent Intervention,” stated that the authors, as founding fathers of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, felt compelled to write an open letter to the president.
They recalled their long-standing commitment to the party, tracing their involvement from the days of the defunct Action Congress to the Action Congress of Nigeria, which later evolved into the APC. They claimed they had never witnessed such levels of selfishness, greed, betrayal, and treachery within the party.
The petitioners further alleged that the state APC Chairman, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, were executing a plan purportedly orchestrated by Akpabio to weaken the party.
He said, “The duo of the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Hon. Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, are telling whoever cares to listen that they were directed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to cripple the party in the state to give the PDP an easy ride to victory in the 2027 polls in exchange for the PDP’s support for the Senate President’s third-term ambition.”
APC
The letter further cautioned that the party could face “mass defections” and a weakened structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The authors assured President Tinubu that if urgent steps were not taken to revive and strengthen the party in Akwa Ibom State, he might not have party members to welcome him when he visits the state for his campaign next year.
They alleged that the “soul and spirit” of the APC in the state had been handed over to the ruling PDP government, leading many party members to prepare to align with the emerging opposition coalition against Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Addressing rumors that Governor Umo Eno was planning to join the APC, the party stalwarts dismissed the speculation, arguing that while the governor was working to consolidate the PDP’s position, APC leaders in the state were instead undermining their own party.
They expressed disbelief that the party, despite producing a Senate President, had become “completely dead” in the state.
They further claimed that since Akpabio joined the APC, he had never demonstrated commitment to Tinubu’s re-election ambition
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