Newly sworn-in Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, has pledged to position Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s leading state in e-governance and the digital economy. His vision aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which seeks to transform governance and economic activities through digital innovation.
During his first visit to the Ministry, Dr. Ekpenyong stressed the Ministry’s key role in driving this transformation. He was received by Permanent Secretary, Dr. Friday Ido, and top officials, who shared his enthusiasm for the state’s digital future.
Explaining that the visit was informal, Dr. Ekpenyong said he wanted a firsthand assessment of the Ministry’s facilities and their potential for advancing digital governance.
“I felt it was necessary to come here this morning to have a firsthand view of the facilities. This is not a formal visit but a quick tour. I believe this Ministry gives us an opportunity to showcase our Governor’s ambition to offer social services digitally. We will exploit and take advantage of what we have here. The objective is simple—it is to ensure that Akwa Ibom becomes the hub of e-governance in Nigeria,” he said.
He cited existing digital initiatives such as the bursary scheme, MSME portal, employment portal, and civil service verification as examples of how technology is already shaping governance. According to him, delivering government services effectively will require a well-trained and highly motivated workforce.
“If we are going to deliver our services, we would need a really sound staff. I will encourage everyone to adopt a new mindset. When we meet, we will make everyone understand the ambition of His Excellency and how we intend to go about things,” he added.
Dr. Ekpenyong stressed the importance of maximizing available resources and called for a culture of accountability. “The era of just coming to work and not doing anything is behind us. Everybody has to show value. Every staff here has to be ICT compliant. You are going to be the best and act as the support staff for all government agencies, so I am excited about the journey ahead.”
He also noted the Ministry’s central role in the state’s development. “The Governor’s ambition is huge. You only need to look at the ARISE Agenda. This is the Ministry that every other Ministry will have to rely on, whether we like it or not. Humanitarian, Labour, Agriculture, and Education, for example, will all have to work with us. When I come back, we will sit down and share the plan. Please be open-minded and ready to work.”
Welcoming the Commissioner, Dr. Friday Ido described his arrival as “an answered prayer” and expressed confidence in his leadership.
“We believe that you have come so that the glory of the Ministry will be restored and even surpassed,” Dr. Ido said, assuring the Commissioner of the full support of the staff.
