Akwa Ibom’s ambition to expand its digital economy will depend partly on whether young people can acquire industry-recognised technology skills and turn them into sustainable employment, according to an information technology executive launching a foundation to train youths in the state.

Akparawa Engr Emmanuel Willie, a senior executive at Cisco, said his newly established Akparawa Engr Emmanuel Willie Foundation (AEEWF) would support 50 young people through information and communications technology (ICT) training and technical education in solar installation and maintenance.

Willie said the initiative was designed to address the gap between young people’s abilities and their access to professional training, particularly in communities where opportunities to acquire digital skills remain limited.

He said the foundation’s longer-term ambition was to develop a model through which the initial beneficiaries could help train hundreds and eventually thousands of other young people.

From technology training to employment

Willie, who has spent 23 years in the IT industry, said his experience working with organisations and professionals across different countries had convinced him that investment in human capital could improve individual livelihoods and economic development.

Speaking about the motivation behind the foundation, which he unveiled to mark his 50th birthday, he said he wanted to use the milestone to create opportunities for young people rather than concentrate on personal celebrations.

“The best investment is in human capital,” he said, arguing that helping others develop their abilities was a practical way to contribute to society.

The foundation plans to focus primarily on ICT training, including Cisco networking certification, while offering solar installation and maintenance training to young people interested in more hands-on technical careers.

Willie said the second track was intended to accommodate people whose strengths might not lie in conventional academic pathways but who could develop employable technical skills.

He described the initiative as an effort to close what he called “the gap between potential and placement, between talent and opportunity”.

However, details such as the application timetable, training duration, examination arrangements, funding commitments and the criteria for selecting the first 50 beneficiaries have yet to be fully outlined in the interview.

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Why professional certifications matter

The foundation’s emphasis on professional certification reflects the importance of specialised technical skills in a labour market increasingly shaped by digital infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity and remote work.

Willie cited the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) qualification as an example of an advanced networking credential that can open opportunities in international markets.

He argued that shortages of experienced ICT professionals create opportunities for suitably qualified Nigerians to work for employers within and outside the country.

According to him, some engineers work remotely for organisations they do not physically visit, illustrating how digital skills can allow professionals to serve employers across geographical boundaries.

“I am quite different from the school of thought that said there are no jobs,” Willie said, maintaining that some employment opportunities remain difficult to fill because employers cannot find people with the required skills.

His argument, however, does not mean that acquiring a certificate automatically guarantees employment. Outcomes will also depend on practical competence, experience, access to suitable equipment, employer demand and the ability of trainees to meet recruitment requirements.

For the foundation, its proposed train-and-deploy approach will therefore be important in determining whether participants can move beyond classroom instruction into paid work.

Reaching young people beyond Uyo

Willie said the foundation intended to select beneficiaries from all 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, using merit and interest in technology as guiding principles.

He said the initiative would prioritise young people in underserved communities who had limited exposure to the internet, technology infrastructure and professional training.

The foundation’s grassroots focus, he explained, was partly informed by his observation that people with access to major cities and professional networks often have advantages over those growing up in less-connected communities.

“I want to reach to the son of that poor man, to the daughter of that poor widow in the village. I want to give them hope and support,” he said.

He added that the programme was not primarily intended for young people living in Lagos or other urban centres who already had access to comparable opportunities.

Willie also linked the initiative to his concern about youth involvement in street cults and other social problems, arguing that access to meaningful work and economic opportunities could provide young people with alternatives.

For the programme to achieve its stated inclusion goals, a transparent selection process and clear information about eligibility, training locations and the distribution of places across the local government areas will be essential.

Can technology skills strengthen Akwa Ibom’s economy?

Beyond individual employment, Willie believes a larger pool of skilled technology professionals could help the state improve public services, strengthen revenue collection and attract investment.

He said several government processes remained manual and argued that digital systems could reduce delays, improve record-keeping and limit revenue leakages.

He cited the digitisation of revenue-related processes, including vehicle registration and other administrative services, as areas where technology could improve efficiency.

“If we digitalise our revenue collection, even as simple as a plate number, just as Lagos State has done, digitalise it, the government will see a surge in revenue,” he said.

These are proposed benefits rather than demonstrated outcomes of the foundation’s programme. Their realisation would depend on government procurement, infrastructure, cybersecurity, reliable electricity, data protection and the capacity of public institutions to maintain digital systems.

Training more network engineers could contribute to that process, but skills development alone would not be sufficient to transform the state’s economy.

The availability of reliable internet, opportunities for practical experience, access to finance and demand from private businesses would also influence whether trained youths could establish technology enterprises or secure sustainable employment.

Foundation aligns its goals with state development plans

Willie said he was encouraged by Governor Umo Eno’s reported investment in technology hubs across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas.

He described the governor’s emphasis on human capital development as consistent with the foundation’s objectives and urged young people to take advantage of available opportunities.

Willie also praised the administration’s infrastructure and health-sector investments, describing technology-driven development as particularly important to the state’s long-term prosperity.

The governor’s Arise Agenda and its subsequent development priorities have emphasised economic development and human capital development. However, the extent to which technology hubs translate into employment will depend on their accessibility, the quality of training and the availability of opportunities after training.

Willie said his foundation would complement such public initiatives by focusing on young people who might otherwise struggle to access professional training.

He also expressed strong political support for Eno’s re-election, arguing that continuity would help sustain ongoing development projects. His endorsement reflects his personal political position and should be distinguished from an independent assessment of the administration’s performance.

A plan to train 50 and reach thousands

Willie said the initial cohort of 50 beneficiaries should serve as the starting point for a broader community-led effort.

He hopes the first group will eventually help train 500 young people, with the next generation extending the model to 5,000.

The expansion, however, would require additional funding, qualified instructors, certification and training resources, partnerships with employers and a system for tracking graduates’ progress.

Willie called on Akwa Ibom professionals and other well-meaning individuals to support the initiative, arguing that those who had benefited from education, exposure and professional networks should help extend similar opportunities to others.

“We should not call them useless. We should not call them names. They should not be stereotyped,” he said of young people who lack access to opportunities.

“They are intelligent. They are energetic. They are ready to work. They only need access.”

For Akwa Ibom’s young people, the immediate question is how the foundation will turn that commitment into an accessible programme with clearly defined entry requirements, recognised training, practical experience and credible employment pathways.

Its success will ultimately be measured not only by the number of youths enrolled, but also by how many complete the training, earn relevant qualifications, find work or establish viable businesses.

If the foundation can demonstrate those outcomes and sustain its proposed expansion, its birthday initiative could develop into a longer-term contribution to skills development and economic opportunity in Akwa Ibom State.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will open applications for its Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP) on Monday, October 5, giving young Nigerian innovators aged 18 to 28 an opportunity to develop ideas aimed at solving challenges in the maritime and blue economy.

The application window will run until November 13, 2026, with submissions to undergo evaluation and due diligence before selected applicants move to a National Innovation Hackathon in December.

The programme is structured to take promising ideas beyond the application stage, with successful participants expected to progress through a 12-week accelerator programme in 2027 before presenting their solutions at a National Demo Day.

Application opens October 5

NIMASA said the programme is aimed at identifying young people developing innovative solutions relevant to Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors.

The initiative combines a National Innovation Hackathon with a 12-week accelerator programme designed to help participants develop their ideas into practical solutions and potentially viable enterprises.

For applicants, the first stage will be the online application process, which opens on October 5 and closes on November 13.

Applications will then be evaluated between November 16 and December 2, with NIMASA saying the process will include due diligence.

What happens after applications?

Those who make it through the selection process will proceed to the National Innovation Hackathon scheduled for December 8 to 10.

The hackathon will provide a further stage for developing and assessing the ideas submitted by young innovators.

Successful participants will then enter a 12-week accelerator programme in the first quarter of 2027.

The programme is expected to culminate in a National Demo Day in the second quarter of 2027, where participants can showcase their solutions and explore opportunities for collaboration and enterprise development.

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NIMASA: Young people must be part of blue economy growth

NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the programme was intended to increase the participation of young Nigerians in the development of the country’s blue economy.

He said Nigeria’s maritime sector has significant potential for economic growth, employment and national development, but argued that unlocking that potential would require innovation, technology and new ideas.

“The future of Nigeria’s blue economy will be built on ideas, innovation, enterprise and collaboration. Through NIMASA-BEAP, we are creating a platform for young Nigerians to develop practical solutions, transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our maritime sector,” Mobereola stated.

The programme therefore goes beyond a one-off innovation competition, with its timetable taking selected participants from application and evaluation to the hackathon, accelerator stage and eventual demonstration of their solutions.

Why the programme matters

Nigeria’s blue economy covers economic activities linked to the country’s maritime and marine resources, including areas where technology and entrepreneurship can create new services, businesses and jobs.

For young innovators, NIMASA-BEAP provides a route into a sector that can sometimes appear dominated by established companies and traditional maritime businesses.

The agency said it wants to foster innovation and support a new generation of maritime entrepreneurs whose solutions can contribute to the development of the sector.

However, the success of the initiative will ultimately depend on how effectively promising ideas are supported after selection and whether they can move from prototypes and concepts into solutions capable of operating in the real economy.

NIMASA-BEAP timeline

October 5, 2026: Application portal opens

November 13, 2026: Application deadline

November 16–December 2, 2026: Evaluation and due diligence

December 8–10, 2026: National Innovation Hackathon

First quarter 2027: 12-week accelerator programme

Second quarter 2027: National Demo Day

NIMASA is encouraging eligible Nigerians aged 18 to 28 with ideas relevant to the maritime and blue economy to apply when the portal opens.

The agency said the initiative forms part of its efforts to promote innovation, youth participation and entrepreneurship within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Ondo State has introduced a digital human resource system that will allow civil servants to access payslips, monitor their retirement timelines and support the electronic movement of workers from active service into pension.

The system, known as “Ondo AI”, is also designed to give authorised government officials instant access to personnel records and provide real-time information for workforce planning and administrative decisions.

The state government unveiled the platform on Thursday at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Akure, describing it as part of efforts to move civil service administration away from manual processes.

The launch comes as Ondo continues to address pension administration and retiree welfare. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has previously proposed amendments to the state’s pension law, including measures aimed at protecting vulnerable retirees and ensuring more consistent pension remittances.

What Ondo AI means for civil servants

According to Godwin Odoma, Managing Director of SmartApps IT Limited, the company responsible for demonstrating the platform, Ondo AI will combine personnel administration, payroll management, retirement processing and pension migration.

The system is expected to hold digital records including photographs, appointment details, promotion letters, academic qualifications, complaints and other relevant documents.

Authorised officials will be able to retrieve the information electronically rather than depending solely on physical files.

For workers, one of the most visible features will be the self-service function.

Odoma said civil servants will be able to check their monthly payslips and determine the number of days remaining before their retirement.

“With the self-service application, you don’t have any reason to say you don’t know when you are going to retire.”

The platform will also alert government when an employee is approaching retirement, allowing the relevant authorities to identify workers due to leave active service in a particular month.

Pension transition is a key part of the system

The government says the system is designed to reduce gaps between retirement from active service and entry into the pension process.

Odoma said the automation would support pension migration and was intended to prevent unnecessary delays in moving retiring workers from the civil service to pension administration.

He also said the system would help Ondo meet automation and transparency requirements under the World Bank’s HOPE-GO programme.

The claims concern the system’s intended functions; the longer-term effect on pension payment timelines will depend on implementation, the accuracy of personnel records and the state’s ability to meet its pension obligations.

A wider pension reform picture

The digital launch comes against the backdrop of ongoing pension reforms in Ondo.

PenCom has previously called for changes to the Ondo State Pension Law, including a Minimum Pension Guarantee and an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order to support more consistent pension remittances. It also raised the possibility of making Pension Compliance Certificates a requirement for certain business activities in the state.

PenCom’s 2025 state implementation report listed Ondo among the states fully implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme and/or Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme at the time covered by the report.

That means the new digital system is being introduced within an existing pension framework rather than creating a new pension scheme.

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Aiyedatiwa: Data must be accurate

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the purpose of digitisation extends beyond replacing paper files with computers.

He said government decisions depend on the quality of information available to those making them.

“We are living in an age in which information is power, data is an essential resource, and speed and accuracy presently define effective administration.”

The governor said the state could not continue operating a modern public service with systems designed for an earlier era.

“We cannot expect the 21st-century public service to operate an analogue system indefinitely, with systems designed principally for another era. This is the technological era. We cannot remain and be working with an analogue system.”

He linked accurate personnel data to the quality of government decisions.

“Leadership is about decision-making. And every leader takes decisions based on the information at hand. If the information is accurate, the decision will be near accurate. And if the information is inaccurate, the decision will be false.”

But Aiyedatiwa also warned that introducing technology would not automatically guarantee accurate administration.

He told officials responsible for the platform that the integrity of information entered into it must be protected.

“The integrity of the information entered into the system must be sacrosanct.”

Head of Service highlights workforce planning

Ondo State Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, said the digital platform was necessary because personnel administration had relied substantially on manual records and traditional procedures.

He said the new system would strengthen personnel records, support workforce planning and reduce delays in administrative processes.

The platform is also expected to give management a clearer picture of the state’s workforce, including staff deployment, competencies, career progression and areas where additional development may be required.

Odusanya urged officials to pay attention to confidentiality, data protection and the security of personnel information.

What happens next?

Aiyedatiwa urged civil servants to adopt the system while acknowledging that implementation could bring challenges and adjustments.

“For us, digitisation is not technology for its own sake. It is a means of simplifying processes, reducing unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving institutional memory and bringing government closer to the people.”

He added:

“I urge every public servant to embrace this innovation. There may be adjustments and challenges along the way, but reform is never achieved by standing still. We have to keep moving.”

Odoma said civil servants can access the OndoPay self-service application by scanning the relevant code or downloading it from the Google Play Store and entering their CS number.

The effectiveness of the system will ultimately depend on the completeness and accuracy of the data entered, the security of workers’ personal information and how efficiently government departments use the platform.

For civil servants, however, the immediate change is straightforward: personnel records, payslips and retirement information are being moved closer to their fingertips rather than remaining solely within government offices.