Akwa Ibom State is charting a new course for the digital economy as the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno announced plans to collaborate with T2 to accelerate technology growth, digital innovation, and youth empowerment across the state.
The announcement came at the opening ceremony of the Ibom Ignite Conference 2025 in Uyo, a flagship youth leadership and entrepreneurship gathering that brings together innovators, business leaders, and changemakers to turn ideas into tangible impact.
Governor Eno’s comments followed a compelling keynote address by T2 CEO, Obafemi Banigbe, who shared a bold vision of Akwa Ibom as a rising digital powerhouse within Nigeria’s innovation landscape.
“I believe Akwa Ibom has the capacity to lead in building software solutions, AI applications, and a thriving startup ecosystem,” Banigbe said. “This state is not only capable of producing the next Flutterwave or Paystack, it has what it takes to become the digital goldmine of the South-South.”
Banigbe underscored that this future hinges on investing in people and digital skills development. “The future will not be built on oil; it will be built on people, on education, innovation, and digital talent,” he emphasised. “If we do not invest in the next generation, we risk wasting the immense potential of our youth.”
He also used the opportunity to express gratitude to Akwa Ibom residents for their continued loyalty, acknowledging the brand’s recent transformation journey.
“We are back in business,” he affirmed. “T2 has evolved from being a telecom operator to becoming a digital lifestyle brand, youth-friendly, tech-friendly, and startup-friendly. We’re committed to working with His Excellency and the Akwa Ibom State Government to turn this state into the South-South’s innovation hub.”
This year’s Ibom Ignite Conference, themed “Ignite to Accelerate,” was a vibrant showcase of ideas, dialogue, and creativity. The event featured keynote sessions, fireside chats, and pitch competitions, offering young entrepreneurs and innovators a platform to connect, collaborate, and share bold new visions for the future.
On the sidelines, T2 hosted a Customer Forum, an open, interactive session that brought customers face-to-face with company executives for candid conversations about service experiences, challenges, and expectations. The session reaffirmed T2’s commitment to transparency, responsiveness, and customer-centric growth.
For T2, the visit to Akwa Ibom was more than a corporate engagement; it was a statement of intent. With the state government’s ambitious vision and T2’s renewed energy, the partnership signals a transformative step toward positioning Akwa Ibom as a hub for digital innovation, creative enterprise, and youth-led economic growth in the South-South region.
