Akakan Umoh
Akwa Ibom Government has increased bursary allowance for students in government-owned tertiary institutions to ₦200,000, while those studying Medicine, Law and Engineering will receive ₦250,000 each.
Initially, the government had paid each of the students N10,000, N20,000 and N50,000 to each of the undergraduates.
Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, announced the increase during an interactive session on the second day of the Ibom Ignite Conference 2026 in Uyo, the state capital.
Eno said the increase was intended to ease the financial burden facing the students and their parents, particularly amid rising costs of accommodation, learning materials and other academic needs.
Also read:Akwa Ibom introduces Digital process to pay students’ Bursary
Governor Eno said the initiative underscored the state government’s commitment to education and human capital development by supporting young people with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to succeed.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through skills acquisition, digital training, entrepreneurship development and employment opportunities.
He said the government was committed to providing young people with the support, guidance and exposure needed to grow their businesses, realise their potential and contribute to the state’s development.
According to him, the administration’s youth empowerment initiatives go beyond providing start-up funds to young entrepreneurs, as beneficiaries are also monitored, mentored and guided to improve their chances of success.
Eno further stated that trainees at the Youth Development Centre in Oron were nearing graduation, with hundreds of beneficiaries earning certifications from Microsoft and Google.
He added that some trainees had acquired coding and other digital skills, creating opportunities for remote employment.
“Hundreds of young people in Oron have earned Microsoft and Google certifications, with some acquiring coding skills and securing remote job opportunities. We will extend the programme to other locations,” the governor stated.
Delivering a keynote address entitled “Building Beyond Boundaries,” the Chief Executive Officer of Hensek Integrated Limited, Engr. Uwem Okoko, highlighted the importance of vision, innovation and determination in driving development beyond conventional limits.
He urged individuals and organisations to look beyond existing limitations, embrace new possibilities and remain committed to turning their aspirations into reality.
Similarly, Dr. Maxwell Ubah of Strategy House Limited, in a presentation entitled “Change Your Thinking, Change Your Future,” challenged participants to cultivate a positive mindset, reinvent themselves and remain focused on their goals.
Ubah encouraged participants to approach their personal and professional pursuits with the right attitude, discipline and dedication, noting that a change in mindset could help unlock their potential and position them for greater success.
The two-day Ibom Ignite Conference 2026 serves as a platform for young people to acquire knowledge, explore opportunities, develop relevant skills and build the capacity to participate in the economic and social transformation of Akwa Ibom State.
