There’s something about Uyo that stays with you long after you leave the peace, the cleanliness, the rhythm of a city that seems to breathe in harmony with its people. Victoria Fagbumi of NITDA described it best: Uyo is a city with soul. And during the Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2025, that soul came alive in the most unexpected way, not just as a gathering of innovators and founders, but as a statement of intent.
This wasn’t just another tech event. It was a movement. A carefully curated experience aimed at marketing Uyo as the next tech destination.
From the moment you arrived in the city, greeted by clean streets, calm roads, and a hospitality that feels both warm and effortless, you could sense that Uyo wasn’t trying to be anything but the authentic, slow-paced city it is. It wasn’t pretending to be the next big thing. It simply was. The city’s easy-going energy and natural beauty made it the perfect backdrop for what has now become one of the most intentional tech gatherings in the region.
For many of us who attended from across the country, from Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Delta, Lagos, and even as far as San Francisco, Akwa Ibom Tech Week felt like a quiet revolution. A declaration that innovation can thrive outside the noise and rush of Nigeria’s traditional tech capitals.
A city selling more than tech
Uyo is quietly positioning itself as Africa’s next tech destination, and honestly, it’s not far-fetched. The city already has what many others lack: infrastructure, peace, and a government willing to open its doors to innovation. With Ibom Air offering smooth connections to Lagos and Abuja, and the serene Ibom Resort serving as the perfect retreat for visiting founders and investors, Akwa Ibom’s story is fast evolving from a tourist gem to a digital powerhouse.
One attendee reportedly mentioned acquiring property in the city, while another was seriously considering relocating. That’s the charm and magnetic pull of this city, a blend of opportunity and tranquillity that’s hard to find anywhere else.
The anatomy of a well-crafted tech week
From the opening GIFA Breakfast for women in tech to the deal room, cultural night, and two-day conference, every segment of the tech week was deliberately crafted to immerse participants in the Akwa Ibom experience. This wasn’t just an event for selfies and speeches; it was about connection, learning, and possibility.
The Innovation Challenge was one of the week’s most exciting highlights. Teams of students and startups pitched real-world solutions in agriculture, education, healthcare, and renewable energy. The emphasis was on scalability and impact, not just building apps, but solving problems. Winners received mentorship and funding to turn their ideas into sustainable ventures, underscoring the week’s focus on outcomes over optics.
Then came the Deal Room, a bold experiment that paid off. Selected startups got to pitch directly to investors in closed-door sessions, and several left with actual funding offers. It was refreshing to see an event where investment wasn’t a buzzword; it was happening in real time.
Local innovation, global Vision
One of the most memorable sessions was Aniedi Udo-Obong’s keynote, “From Problems to Possibilities: Moonshot Thinking.” As Google’s Program Manager for Developer Ecosystem, his message delivered in a passionate and exciting style resonated deeply: build for your community first, but with a mindset that scales globally. “Innovation that begins locally,” he said, “can reach the world if built with authenticity and purpose.”
That message captured the spirit of Akwa Ibom Tech Week, a reminder that local doesn’t mean small. It means rooted.
Workshops covered everything from AI and Web3 to venture building, digital skills, and data protection. It was practical learning, not theoretical talk, the kind that equips participants to actually do something after they leave.
A vision for Akwa Ibom
Hanson Johnson, President of the Ibom Innovation Network, summed up the week’s ambition: “We recognised the critical need for a platform that could not only showcase talent but connect it with the resources, knowledge, and opportunities required to truly flourish.”
The vision is clear to position Akwa Ibom not just as a consumer of technology but as a producer and exporter of digital solutions. The theme, “Catalysing Digital Transformation for Innovation, Investment, and Impact,” wasn’t just aspirational; it was actionable.
Uyo’s rise is proof that innovation doesn’t have to orbit only around major cities. It can grow anywhere there is intention, talent, and structure, and Akwa Ibom has all three.
More than an event, a promise
As the curtains closed on the 2025 edition of Akwa Ibom Tech Week, one thing was undeniable: this wasn’t just a conference; it was a glimpse into the future. A future where Uyo stands shoulder to shoulder with Africa’s major tech cities.
The coming months will tell whether this momentum becomes a movement, whether the conversations turn into companies, and whether the vision turns into visible impact. But for now, Uyo has made its statement calm, confident, and full of possibilities.
And for those who were there, one thing is certain: Akwa Ibom Tech Week didn’t just showcase tech. It made us believe that the next African innovation story might truly begin here in Uyo, a city with soul.
