EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD
The graduation of the third cohort of the TechRise ICT Skills Development Programme has further demonstrated Governor Alex Otti’s deliberate strategy of preparing Abia’s young people for an increasingly technology driven global economy.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Umuahia on Friday, August 21, 2026, Governor Otti described the future as the product of today’s choices, investments and preparations, making a compelling case for why Abia must invest in knowledge and technological skills rather than wait for the disruptions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to overwhelm its people.
The significance of TechRise is reflected in its growing reach. With the graduation of the latest 850 participants, the programme has now produced 2,209 graduates within 18 months. This represents a substantial investment in human capital and reinforces the administration’s conviction that young people must be equipped not merely as job seekers but as skilled participants in the emerging digital economy. For Governor Otti, preparing the youth is ultimately an investment in the future productivity, competitiveness and economic strength of Abia State.
The Governor’s message to the latest graduates also went beyond celebrating their achievement. He challenged them to embrace continuous learning, set personal growth targets and compete confidently with their peers anywhere in the world. His emphasis on resilience is particularly significant because the technology ecosystem is constantly evolving, requiring professionals to continually upgrade their skills. The presentation of a functional drone by the graduates further demonstrated that the training is moving beyond theory towards practical innovation, prompting the Governor to direct the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to explore how the innovation could be developed into a commercially viable product.
Another important dimension of the initiative is the administration’s effort to create a direct pathway from training to employment and economic participation. Governor Otti announced the transfer of ownership of the 850 laptops used by the graduates to the participants, giving them valuable tools to continue learning and working after graduation. More significantly, he directed the identification of ICT competence gaps across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, with qualified TechRise graduates positioned to fill some of those gaps. The 19 best graduating students are also to be engaged in relevant areas of the civil service, while a special salary cadre for ICT professionals is being contemplated to attract and retain critical digital skills in government.
This approach reflects a broader understanding of youth empowerment. Rather than treating skills acquisition as an end in itself, the Otti administration is attempting to connect training with employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and public sector efficiency. Hundreds of newly trained professionals entering the economy means more people with the capacity to create businesses, secure employment and contribute to productivity. In the Governor’s estimation, the cumulative effect could help address unemployment and underemployment while expanding the productive base of the state and increasing its contribution to economic growth.
Governor Otti also placed an important ethical responsibility on the beneficiaries. His warning against using acquired ICT knowledge for criminal activities underscores the dual nature of technological advancement. Digital skills can create opportunities and wealth, but they can equally be abused for cybercrime and other illicit activities. By urging the graduates to pursue excellence while remaining ethically conscious, the Governor linked technological empowerment with responsible citizenship, making it clear that the ultimate objective is not simply to produce technically competent young people but responsible professionals who can contribute positively to society.
The Governor revealed that TechRise is being supported by a wider institutional framework involving ministries, the 17 local governments and private sector partners. His administration, as equally revealed, is also working to address some of the infrastructure challenges that could limit the growth of the ICT ecosystem, particularly through efforts to expand broadband internet penetration and attract investment into the sector. The planned establishment of international standard ICT examination and certification centres in Abia is another strategic step that could enable young people to obtain globally recognised credentials without having to travel outside the state.
Ultimately, the third TechRise graduation represents another chapter in Governor Otti’s stated vision of building a future ready population capable of competing in a rapidly changing world. By combining skills development, access to technology, potential employment in government, private sector partnerships, broadband expansion and international certification opportunities, the administration is gradually building an ecosystem around digital talent. As it stands today, TechRise initiative is no doubt one of the defining components of Abia’s human capital development strategy, turning the talents and ambitions of its young people into a powerful engine for innovation, employment and economic prosperity.
Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs.
