Akwa Ibom State has launched a statewide youth empowerment initiative expected to train more than 31,000 young people annually through newly established Arise Youth Skill Centres across the 31 local government areas of the state.
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Governor Umo Eno officially commissioned the first centre in Oron on Tuesday, describing the project as part of the state government’s strategy to decentralise youth development and expand access to digital and vocational training beyond the state capital.
According to the governor, the initiative was designed to ensure that young people in rural communities no longer need to travel to Uyo before benefiting from government-backed empowerment programmes.
“The creation of a stand alone Ministry of Youth Development was aimed at giving focused attention to youth-related interventions across all local government areas,” Eno said during the commissioning ceremony.
The governor disclosed that all local government chairmen were directed to provide land within their headquarters for the construction of the centres. He said 14 local government areas had already complied with the directive, while Oron became the first to complete and commission its facility.
Eno explained that the first phase of the programme would cover all 31 local government areas before additional expansion plans scheduled for 2027.
The Arise Youth Skill Centres are expected to provide training in ICT, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital literacy, fashion design, catering, and entrepreneurship. The state government said each local government area would target the training of at least 1,000 youths annually through multiple training cycles.
“Training programmes will soon commence in ICT, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other digital skills to prepare our youths for emerging global opportunities,” the governor said.
The governor added that about 100 participants would be selected in each training batch across the centres. He also noted that the programme would be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Sports.
Beyond technical training, the centres will also include recreational and intellectual activities such as chess and scrabble to support mental development among participants.
Eno further revealed that the facilities would operate on solar power and include e-libraries to support uninterrupted learning and research access for trainees.
He warned that the centres were created strictly for youth training and empowerment purposes and should not be converted for social events such as weddings or parties.
“These centres are not event halls. They are designed to equip young people with practical skills that can improve their economic future,” he stated.
Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerete Ekanem, described the initiative as a long-term investment in youth capacity building and entrepreneurship in Akwa Ibom State.
“The Arise Youth Skill Centre is not just a building but a transformational ecosystem designed to nurture talent, promote innovation, and build capacity among youths,” Ekanem said.
According to him, the facilities include multipurpose training halls, ICT hubs, digital libraries, creative and media centres, enterprise kiosks, networking spaces, and recreational areas.
He explained that the centres were intentionally structured to help young people transition from job seekers to job creators through practical and technology-driven training.
Ekanem said the full rollout across the 31 local government areas could create one of the largest decentralised youth training networks in Nigeria, with over 31,000 youths expected to benefit yearly.
The commissioner also disclosed that social welfare officers would be attached to the centres to provide counselling services and address issues such as drug abuse and other social challenges affecting young people.
He maintained that the Ministry of Youth Development would work with relevant stakeholders to ensure proper implementation and sustainability of the programme across the state.
The launch of the Arise Youth Skill Centre in Oron marks a major step in Akwa Ibom State’s push to strengthen grassroots youth development while expanding access to digital and entrepreneurial skills in local communities.
