Abia and Enugu states have renewed calls for deeper regional collaboration to accelerate innovation, with a shared target of training 150,000 technology professionals and supporting the growth of 3,000 startups across Nigeria.
The call was made on Wednesday during the South-East Regional Activation of the Africa Innovation Foundry (AIF) at the Abia State Secretariat Complex in Umuahia. The event attracted government officials, technology entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and startup founders from across the South-East.
Speaking at the event, Abia State Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, David Kalu, described the state as a growing hub for innovation within the region. He said Abia has strengthened its commitment to the startup ecosystem by adopting the Nigerian Startup Act into state law, making it the first South-East state to establish a dedicated legal framework for startup development.
Kalu disclosed that the state government had created a ₦2 billion Startup Support Fund aimed at improving access to funding for emerging businesses. He added that the newly established Abia State Startup Administration Board would oversee startup registration, facilitate tax incentives, and safeguard intellectual property rights.
According to him, Abia is combining its long-standing industrial strengths, particularly in manufacturing and leather production, with digital technology through the development of innovation clusters and technology parks. He also highlighted the recent inauguration of Nigeria's first manufacturing technology (manu-tech) innovation hub at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia, developed in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Also speaking, Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Lawrence Ezeh, reaffirmed that innovation remains central to the state's economic transformation agenda. He said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah has continued to invest in digital infrastructure, smart education initiatives, and programmes that encourage startup growth, with the goal of positioning Enugu as the leading technology investment destination in Eastern Nigeria.
Ezeh described the Africa Innovation Foundry activation as a strategic opportunity for the region and urged South-East states to harmonise their digital policies through the proposed South-East Digital Economy Policy Roundtable.
In her remarks, the Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Digital Economy, Elizabeth Chijioke, said the South-East's rich entrepreneurial culture and apprenticeship tradition provide a solid foundation for building a thriving digital economy. She encouraged innovators to collaborate across state boundaries and view Abia as a platform for testing, scaling, and commercialising innovative solutions.
Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Justina Eboh, noted that hosting the regional activation reflects the state's commitment to building a sustainable, technology-driven future. She stressed that investing in human capital remains the most important driver of economic prosperity in today's knowledge-based economy.
