By Peace Orjiani
UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE – The governments of Abia and Enugu States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional collaboration aimed at training 150,000 technology talents and supporting the incubation of 3,000 startups across Nigeria.
The commitment was announced on Wednesday during the South-East Regional Activation of the Africa Innovation Foundry (AIF), held at the Abia State Secretariat Complex in Umuahia. The event brought together government officials, technology innovators, startup founders, investors, and digital entrepreneurs from across the South-East to discuss strategies for accelerating innovation and economic growth.
Delivering the keynote address, the Abia State Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, David Kalu, said the state has deliberately positioned itself as the innovation hub of the South-East through progressive policies and strategic investments.
Kalu highlighted that Abia became the first South-East state to domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act by enacting the Abia Startup Law, providing startups with a legal framework that encourages innovation, investment, and business growth.
According to him, the state government has also established a ₦2 billion Abia Startup Support Fund to improve access to finance for emerging technology businesses.
He further announced the creation of the Abia State Startup Administration Board, which will oversee startup registration and labeling, coordinate tax incentives, and strengthen intellectual property protection for innovators.
The commissioner explained that Abia is integrating its long-standing strengths in manufacturing and leather production with digital innovation through the development of technology parks and innovation clusters.
He also referenced the recent launch of Nigeria's first Manu-Tech Innovation Hub at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, established in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to Kalu, the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between traditional industries and modern technology, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.
Speaking at the event, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Lawrence Ezeh, described innovation as one of the key pillars driving the state's economic transformation agenda.
He stated that under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, Enugu has continued to invest significantly in digital infrastructure, smart education initiatives, and startup development programs.
Ezeh said these investments are part of the state's broader vision to position Enugu as the leading destination for technology investment and digital innovation in Eastern Nigeria.
He also described the Africa Innovation Foundry activation as a timely initiative and encouraged South-East states to harmonize their digital policies through the proposed South-East Digital Economy Policy Roundtable.
The Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Digital Economy, Elizabeth Chijioke, said the South-East's long-standing entrepreneurial and apprenticeship culture provides a strong foundation for building a thriving digital economy.
She encouraged innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology startups to establish partnerships across state boundaries, stressing that Abia is ready to serve as a testing ground for innovative ideas while supporting businesses to scale and commercialize their products.
Also speaking, the permanent secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Justina Eboh, noted that hosting the regional activation reflects Abia's long-term commitment to building a sustainable technology ecosystem.
She emphasized that human capital development remains the most valuable infrastructure for economic prosperity in the digital age, adding that investments in technology education and innovation will strengthen the region's competitiveness and create more employment opportunities for young people.
The Africa Innovation Foundry activation reinforced the shared vision of Abia and Enugu States to transform the South-East into one of Nigeria's leading technology and innovation corridors.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that stronger collaboration, supportive government policies, startup financing, and regional partnerships will play a critical role in achieving the ambitious target of training 150,000 tech professionals and nurturing 3,000 startups, positioning the South-East as a major driver of Nigeria's digital economy.
