In what could mark a turning point for Abia State’s digital future, the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has inaugurated the Board of the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ASTSAC), naming renowned technologist and global innovation leader Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe as Chairman.
The move signals a strong shift toward knowledge-driven governance in Abia, as the state positions itself to compete in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
The inauguration, held earlier this week shortly after the State Executive Council meeting, is one of the clearest indications yet that Governor Otti is serious about transforming Abia’s innovation landscape.
With the appointment of Ekekwe, a globally recognised inventor, academic, and founder of the US-based Fasmicro Group, the administration appears to be merging vision with credibility. Ekekwe, who played a key role in the early design of Apple’s iPhone accelerometer system, has long been an advocate for homegrown innovation and digital policy reform across Africa.
Other members of the newly constituted Board include Engr. Cletus Ogbonnaya Ekpo (Vice Chairman), Engr. Peter Ukonu (Director-General), Mr Gerald Ilukwe, Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Mr Fidelis Nweze, Dr Christopher Kalu Okoro, Mr Chukwudi Ogbonna, and Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa, a line-up that reflects a blend of technical expertise, policy insight, and private sector experience.
Governor Otti, while addressing the new board members, described them as “some of the finest minds in the technology ecosystem,” emphasising that their appointment was based purely on competence and merit.
“The era of political or geographical appointments is over,” Otti said. “We are building a state that values innovation and excellence, not connections.”
He praised both Ekekwe and Engr. Peter Ukonu, the new Director-General, who returned from the United Kingdom to serve, is “proof that the best Abians, wherever they are in the world, are willing to come home and build.”
The Governor urged the Board to “think beyond Abia,” envisioning an innovation agenda that extends across the South-East and positions the region as a hub for talent, manufacturing, and knowledge export.
In his inaugural speech, Professor Ekekwe described the appointment as “a call to national service,” pledging to lead a board that prioritises digital literacy, youth empowerment, and inclusive prosperity.
“Our goal is to make technology work for everyone,” Ekekwe said. “Every child in Abia, regardless of background, should have access to the digital tools and skills needed to thrive in the knowledge economy.”
According to him, the Board has already begun drafting a comprehensive roadmap to guide the state’s innovation policy in the coming months. The plan, he hinted, will focus on skills development, startup incubation, and public-private partnerships that link local innovators to global opportunities.
Ekekwe, whose career spans both academia and industry, said his team intends to “reduce market inefficiencies and create technology-driven jobs” by nurturing a homegrown digital ecosystem.
For a state long known for its entrepreneurial energy, from Aba’s manufacturing prowess to Umuahia’s growing startup scene, the formation of ASTSAC could provide the structure and policy clarity needed to transform local creativity into scalable innovation.
Experts have long argued that Nigeria’s regional economies require tailored innovation strategies, rather than simply copying blueprints from major tech cities. Abia’s latest move could serve as a model for other South-East and South-South states seeking to unlock the tech potential of their youth population.
As digital transformation becomes a core driver of job creation and competitiveness, the state’s investment in technological capacity-building represents both economic necessity and strategic foresight.
The challenge now lies in execution and ensuring that ASTSAC evolves beyond bureaucracy into a living ecosystem that connects schools, startups, investors, and industries.
Since taking office, Governor Otti has repeatedly emphasised that human capital, not just physical infrastructure, will be the cornerstone of his administration. The creation of ASTSAC fits neatly into that philosophy.
He assured the new board of his administration’s full backing, including policy support and inter-agency collaboration, adding that their work would receive priority attention within the government’s development agenda.
“I have no doubt this team will position Abia as a leading innovation hub in Nigeria and West Africa,” Otti said. “Your intellectual contributions to this state far outweigh any financial reward. This is service, and I trust you to lead it with integrity.”
Beyond the symbolism of the inauguration, the composition of the Board sends a clear message that Abia is betting on expertise over politics, global exposure over parochialism, and long-term skill development over quick wins.
The inclusion of figures like Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, CEO of InfoGraphics Nigeria and a key player in digital transformation across West Africa, alongside Gerald Ilukwe, a veteran of Microsoft and digital infrastructure projects, suggests that Abia’s strategy will balance policy and practice.
Observers say that if the Board can successfully build linkages with the private sector, international partners, and local universities, it could redefine what a state-led innovation model looks like in Nigeria.
For Ekekwe, who has spent years advocating for an “innovation economy” across Africa, the assignment feels like a homecoming with purpose. His approach, emphasising digital literacy, manufacturing efficiency, and inclusive growth, aligns with Abia’s natural strengths as a state of builders and problem-solvers.
“Our young people are talented, and our markets are vibrant,” he said. “What we need is coordination, policy, and access, and that’s what this board intends to deliver.”
In a region often overlooked in Nigeria’s broader tech narrative, Abia’s latest move carries symbolic weight. It signals that the South-East is ready to compete, not just as consumers of innovation but as creators of it.
If implemented effectively, the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre could become the launchpad for a new kind of regional development, one powered by code, creativity, and competence.
As the team settles into their roles, all eyes will be on how Abia turns policy intent into measurable impact.
