RismadarVoice Reporters
August 28, 2026
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called for stronger economic collaboration between Nigeria and South Korea, urging the Asian country to consider the state as a strategic destination for investment, technology transfer and manufacturing.
Governor Eno made the call on Friday in Uyo during a special lecture delivered by the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Jeong Yo-An, at the University of Uyo.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor said Akwa Ibom’s natural resources, human capital and economic potential could contribute significantly to expanding the existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and South Korea.
He noted that bilateral trade between both countries, currently estimated at over 2.1 billion dollars, could increase significantly with greater participation by Akwa Ibom.
Eno said the state was ready to leverage South Korea’s technological advancement and manufacturing expertise to drive economic transformation.
He identified technology, agriculture and the blue economy as key areas with significant opportunities for collaboration.
The Governor also highlighted his administration’s investment in youth development, saying the Youth Development Centres established across the 31 Local Government Areas were designed to equip young people with digital, entrepreneurial and vocational skills.
On agriculture, Eno described the sector as a major pillar of the ARISE Agenda, citing model farms, incentives for farmers and the Tree Crop Revolution as initiatives aimed at boosting food production and developing the state’s agricultural value chains.
He expressed confidence that the Tree Crop Revolution would position Akwa Ibom as a major player in the oil palm industry and ultimately make the state a net exporter of palm oil.
The Governor also drew attention to Akwa Ibom’s blue economy potential, citing its approximately 129-kilometre coastline, rivers and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
He said the multi-billion-naira maritime hub project at Oron Beach, alongside other government interventions, was aimed at unlocking the state’s maritime potential, creating jobs, improving security and attracting investment.
Delivering the special lecture, the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Jeong Yo-An, said strong institutions and human capital were critical to sustainable development.
He attributed South Korea’s transformation from poverty to prosperity to diligence, self-help and cooperation, encapsulated in the country’s development movement, Saemaul Undong.
The Ambassador said people remained the greatest resource of any nation, urging Nigerians to draw lessons from South Korea’s development experience.
He said, “The real resources are people, strong institutions and patience. The story of the next 50 years is yours to write, and South Korea will help you to write.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Christopher Ekong, commended Governor Eno for supporting the university and prioritising human capital development.
Ekong appealed for deeper collaboration between South Korea and the university in Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, smart agriculture and skills acquisition.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Muiz Banire, SAN, and former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere, also advocated stronger collaboration between South Korea, the University of Uyo and Akwa Ibom State.
The event ended with the presentation of a commemorative plaque to Ambassador Jeong Yo-An by the University of Uyo.
