In a bid to transform Akwa Ibom State into a centre for advanced research, innovation, and technological development, tertiary institutions across the state have inaugurated a new collaborative body known as the ‘Ibom Science Park Triangle’.
The inaugural meeting, marking the formal establishment of the Science Park, was held on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at the Akwa Ibom State University Liaison Office, Shelter Afrique, Uyo.
This initiative aims to create a sustainable research ecosystem that will provide indigenous solutions to local and national challenges, drive innovation in Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology, and attract global partnerships to foster development.
The event was convened by the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Professor Leo Daniel, and was attended by other heads of tertiary institutions in the state-both federal and state-owned-as well as representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Government and international partners.
A section of the communiqué released at the conclusion of the inaugural meeting, and made available to the press, reads:
“The Science Park will serve as a special-purpose vehicle committed to building a robust, research-driven environment capable of stimulating socio-economic transformation and sustainable development across the state and beyond. This aligns with the third core mandate of tertiary institutions, which is to collaborate in areas such as innovation, research, and technology, with the aim of driving sustainable Community Development Services (CDS) in their host communities, regions, and the nation.
The Science Park shall organize a special symposium and strategic industry workshop at the earliest opportunity. This event will bring together all tertiary institutions in the state, industry players, government agencies (state and federal), and global partners to deliberate on strategic mechanisms for:
(i) Stimulating and advancing indigenous Research and Development (R&D) initiatives.
(ii) Enhancing innovation and technological development.
(iii) Attracting funding from international donor agencies and development partners.
(iv) Creating employment opportunities in both the formal and informal sectors, as well as producing specific manpower to serve the industrial value chain within the ecosystem and beyond.
The communiqué further resolved that owners and operators of existing innovation/ICT hubs, skill acquisition centres, Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, career and entrepreneurial development centres, and other technology centres within the state shall be mobilized, supported, and encouraged to flourish in the global digital economy. This collaboration aims to significantly boost technological advancement and entrepreneurship within the Akwa Ibom State ecosystem and beyond.”
Prominent academic leaders present at the meeting included Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo; Professor Nse Essien, Vice-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University; Mrs Eduma Essien, Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ukana; Dr Edem Ntuk, Provost of the Federal College of Education, Ididep; Professor Daniel Udoh, Provost of Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit; Professor Celestine Ntuen, Vice-Chancellor of Ritman University, represented by Dr Udeme Ebere; Dr James Gabriel, representing the Vice-Chancellor of Topfaith University; Professor Emmanuel Umanah, Vice-Chancellor of Obong University; and Dr Moses Umobong, Rector of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua.
The Akwa Ibom State Government was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, and Dr Frank Ekpenyong, Honourable Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy.
Also in attendance were several international partners, notably Engineer Isaac Udotong-a former NASA engineer and Chairman of the United States-based Isatong Group of Companies. Udotong, who is an alumnus of Harvard, MIT, and Princeton, is the lead global facilitator of the initiative.
Other global participants included Vikram Rao, Chief Advisor at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, USA; representatives of Fireflies.ai, Releaf.Earth, ShieldPay, Excellent in Education (UK), and GCC Afric, among others.
Some other partners who joined the session virtually reaffirmed their commitment to the project.
