Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has raised the state government’s bursary for students in government-owned tertiary institutions from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000, while those studying Medicine, Law and Engineering will receive ₦250,000 each.

The increase, announced on Wednesday during an interactive session at the Ibom Ignite Conference 2026 in Uyo, raises the general bursary allowance fourfold, with students in the three specified disciplines receiving an additional ₦50,000 above the new standard rate.

Eno said the decision was intended to ease the financial pressure on students and their families as the costs of accommodation, textbooks, learning materials and other academic necessities continue to weigh on households.

Beyond the bursary increase, the governor used the engagement to highlight his administration’s youth development strategy, which combines financial assistance with digital training, entrepreneurship support, skills acquisition and employment opportunities.

He said the government’s support for young entrepreneurs did not end with the provision of start-up funds, explaining that beneficiaries were also monitored, mentored and guided to improve their chances of sustaining their businesses.

The governor disclosed that trainees at the Youth Development Centre in Oron were approaching graduation, with hundreds reportedly earning certifications from Microsoft and Google. Some participants had also acquired coding and other digital skills that could qualify them 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,” Eno said.

The conference also featured discussions on personal development, innovation and the need for young people to rethink conventional approaches to success. Chief Executive Officer of Hensek Integrated Limited, Engr. Uwem Okoko, delivered a keynote address titled “Building Beyond Boundaries,” emphasising vision, innovation and determination as drivers of development.

Similarly, Dr. Maxwell Ubah of Strategy House Limited, in a presentation titled “Change Your Thinking, Change Your Future,” urged participants to embrace self-improvement, discipline and purposeful thinking to unlock their potential.

The two-day Ibom Ignite Conference 2026 is designed to expose young people to ideas, skills and opportunities that can strengthen their participation in the state’s economic and social development.