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.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, says the Service plans to deepen its use of artificial intelligence in public communication after receiving international recognition for its approach to stakeholder engagement.

Adeniyi received a Special Award of Excellence at the 2026 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards in Athens, Greece, on Friday, 25 September.

The recognition focused on the NCS’s communication, stakeholder engagement and public relations efforts around its ongoing reforms, including initiatives aimed at modernising Customs operations, facilitating trade and improving institutional transparency.

Adeniyi: Recognition should drive more innovation

Rather than viewing the award as an end in itself, Adeniyi said the recognition should encourage the Customs Service to explore emerging technologies in communicating with citizens and stakeholders.

“We have started using AI tools in our public communication, and we view this recognition as an invitation to do more.”

He said the Service hoped that by 2027, the NCS and more Nigerian government agencies would feature more prominently among global award recipients.

The comments place artificial intelligence within the wider communication strategy of the Customs Service, as government agencies increasingly face the challenge of explaining reforms in an environment shaped by rapid digital communication and misinformation.

Why Customs says communication matters

Adeniyi said communication was central to the success of government reforms because citizens, businesses and other stakeholders needed to understand why policies were introduced, how they were being implemented and what outcomes were expected.

He linked the NCS reform agenda to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly efforts to improve Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, facilitate exports and increase the country’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

For businesses that rely on cross-border trade, clearer communication from Customs can affect how traders understand regulatory requirements, compliance obligations and changes to border processes.

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Nigeria also wins IPRA Grand Prix

The Athens ceremony also brought another international recognition for Nigeria.

The IPRA Grand Prix was awarded to Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, for its campaign titled “AI for Crisis Communication: From Study to Strategy.”

The campaign emerged from a research project led by IMPR Chief Executive Officer Yushau Shuaib in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Centre for Crisis Communication.

The research examined challenges associated with artificial intelligence, including misinformation, deepfakes and wider digital information disorder, before translating the findings into a strategic communication campaign.

The two Nigerian recognitions place public-sector communication and the emerging role of AI in crisis communication at the centre of the country’s showing at the 2026 IPRA awards.

IPRA returns to Athens

In her welcome remarks, IPRA President Esther Cobbah said the return to Athens had historical significance for the global public relations body.

According to Cobbah, the association developed its Code of Conduct for public relations practice in Athens 60 years ago.

“Sixty years ago, in Athens, we built the code of ethics for public relations practice. Today, we have come back to Athens to see how we have deployed those ethics in our work.”

The 2026 gathering therefore combined recognition of communication achievements with a reflection on professional ethics and the changing communication environment.

For the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi’s award comes as the agency continues to position communication as part of its broader reform programme, with artificial intelligence now identified as an area it intends to develop further.