Abia Govt, AIF Partner to Upskill 150 Thousand Tech Talents, Incubate 3,000 Startups 

Abia State Government in collaboration with Africa Innovation Foundry, AIF, has unveiled plans to upskill 150,000 young Nigerians and incubate 3,000 startups across the country.

The programme is meant to be completed within the next three years, with 100 startups earmarked for each state.

Declaring open the South-East Regional Activation of the Africa Innovation Foundry, held at Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat Umuahia on Wednesday, Governor Dr Alex Otti described the initiative as a major step toward positioning the region as Nigeria’s hub for innovation and digital entrepreneurship.

Otti who was represented by the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. David Kalu, noted that while physical infrastructure remains vital, Abia’s greatest asset is its people.

He said that hosting the activation aligns with his administration’s strategy to make the South-East the heartbeat of innovation in Nigeria.

“The Africa Innovation Foundry’s mission is as bold as it is necessary. By targeting on training over 150,000 tech talents and the incubation of 3,000 startups, the program is addressing the most critical infrastructure of the 21st century, human capital.

“In Abia State, we have long maintained that while physical infrastructure is vital, the greatest asset of any society is its people.

Supporting this activation is our act of commitment to ensuring that the Southeast remains the heartbeat of innovation, creativity and digital entrepreneurship in Nigeria,” Otti said.

In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Miss Elizabeth Chibuzor, urged the innovators to leverage the platform for cross-border partnerships.

She described the Southeast Regional Activation as vital, noting that innovation is deeply rooted in the region’s history of entrepreneurship, apprenticeship, and community-driven enterprise.

Also Speaking, the Executive Director of Africa Innovation Foundry (AIF) Mr. Deji Garuba, explained that unlike other programmes, AIF would tailor its approach to the peculiarities of each region.

According to him, the organization would work with hub owners, investors, and ecosystem enablers to identify bankable sectors in each region based on data rather than “vibes.”

Garuba noted that the success of the initiative depends on collaboration with policymakers and investors.

He commended Abia State Government for its support and announced that the national virtual upskilling program is already running and Interested participants can access it at `AIF.distinction.app`.

In a keynote address, Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation Science and Technology, Dr Prince Lawrence Ezeh described the Africa Innovation Foundry initiative as timely and importan, as no single state can build the digital future alone.

According to Ezeh, the prosperity of the southeast region depends on collaboration across governments, academia, innovation hubs, investors, development partners and the private sector.

The Commissioner represented by the Head, Enugu State Tech Ecosystem, Mrs. Chinyere Otuonye noted that the Southeast is known for enterprise, resilience, creativity and industry.

He said such strengths should be channeled into the digital economy by creating opportunities for our young people to innovate, build globally competitive businesses and create sustainable jobs.

He urged the participants to think beyond limitations, build solutions that solve real problems in agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, governance, limate resilience and financial inclusion.