In a move to transform Akwa Ibom State into a hub for cutting-edge research, innovation, and technological development, Tertiary Institutions across Akwa Ibom State have inaugurated a new collaborative body known as the “Ibom Science Park Triangle”.
The inaugural meeting, which marked the formal birth of the Science Park, was held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Akwa Ibom State University Liaison Office, Shelter Afrique, Uyo.
The initiative is aimed at creating a sustainable research ecosystem that will provide indigenous solutions to local and national challenges, drive innovation in Artificial Intelligence, 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 had in attendance 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.
Part of the communiqué released at the end of the inaugural meeting and made available to newsmen 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 is in line with the third core mandates of Tertiary Institutions which is to collaborate in areas such as Innovation, Research and Technology towards 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 possible date. 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 the formal and informal sectors as well as producing specific man-power needs to serve the industrial value Chain in the ecosystem and beyond.
The Communique further resolved that owners and operators of existing Innovation/ICT hubs, Skill Acquisition Centres, Computer Based Test (CBT) Centres, Career and Entrepreneurial Development Centre and other Technology Centres within the State shall be mobilized, supported, and encouraged to blossom in the global digital economic space. This collaboration aims to significantly boost technological advancement and entrepreneurship within Akwa Ibom State ecosystem and beyond”.
Prominent academic leaders 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 the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit; Professor Celestine Ntuen, Vice Chancellor of Ritman University represented by Dr. Udeme Ebere, the Vice Chancellor of Topfaith University represented by Dr James Gabriel; 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 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 Engr. Isaac Udotong; a former NASA Engineer and Chairman of the United States-based Isatong Group of Companies. Udotong, who is a parent Alumni Member 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 partners joined the session virtually and reaffirmed their commitment to the project.
