Eno Woos South Korean Investors, Targets AI, Smart Agriculture, Blue Economy

• Akwa Ibom declares readiness to partner with South Korea on Artificial Intelligence, smart agriculture and blue economy development.

• Governor Umo Eno says Nigeria-South Korea trade volume of over $2.1bn presents an opportunity for the state to attract Korean investments.

• South Korean Ambassador Jeong Yo-an highlights education, technology, industrialisation and human capital as key lessons from his country’s economic transformation.

August 31, () — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with South Korea to attract investments and accelerate the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart agriculture and the blue economy in the state.

Eno made the declaration at the Permanent Site of the University of Uyo, Nwaniba, during a public lecture delivered by the Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Nigeria, Ambassador Jeong Yo-an, on AI, smart agriculture and the development of blue economy resources.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor said the visit by the South Korean envoy reflected the growing diplomatic and economic relationship between Nigeria and South Korea, which Akwa Ibom was prepared to leverage for its own development.

He noted that available data put the trade volume between Nigeria and South Korea at more than $2.1 billion, stressing that his administration was interested in attracting a greater share of Korean investments into the state.

Eno identified AI, smart agriculture and the blue economy as areas capable of generating sustainable economic opportunities, creating jobs and diversifying the state’s economy.

“Akwa Ibom State can be a beneficiary of this mutual relationship. Artificial Intelligence, smart agriculture and the Blue Economy are areas of interest to my administration as we work towards the transformation of our State. Today, no sane person can ignore the role of Artificial Intelligence”, he said.

The governor said his administration had been investing in human capital development as part of efforts to prepare young people for the changing demands of the global economy.

He specifically cited the establishment of youth development centres across the state, which he said would provide platforms for young people to acquire digital skills and other emerging competencies.

According to him, investments in agriculture, security and maritime infrastructure were also being pursued to build a diversified and sustainable economy capable of creating opportunities for the people.

Eno assured potential investors from South Korea and other parts of the world that Akwa Ibom was open to businesses seeking to establish industries, develop enterprises and explore investment opportunities in the state.

The governor also commended the management of the University of Uyo, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Ekong, for hosting the lecture and facilitating the ambassador’s visit.

He said the themes of the lecture were closely aligned with the development priorities of his administration, assuring the university of continued government support in education, innovation and human capital development.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Jeong Yo-an traced South Korea’s transformation from a relatively poor country after the Korean War to a leading industrial and technology-driven economy.

He described the experience, popularly known as the “Miracle on the Han River”, as evidence of the impact of sustained investments in education, human capital, technology, industrialisation, infrastructure and innovation.

The ambassador said South Korea’s development trajectory offered important lessons for Nigeria, particularly in education, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure and export-oriented economic development.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Chris Ekong, said the institution was determined to break existing barriers and equip its graduates with skills relevant to the modern labour market.

Ekong expressed optimism that stronger partnerships with South Korea would help the university strengthen its academic programmes and produce graduates who are employable, innovative and equipped to compete in the global economy.

In a goodwill message, former Deputy Governor and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Obong Nsima Ekere, described the university’s Vice-Chancellor as an “uncommon transformative Vice-Chancellor.”

Ekere urged the University of Uyo to explore strategic academic and institutional linkages with South Korean institutions through the Korean Embassy.

He said the South Korean experience demonstrated that natural resources alone could not guarantee prosperity, stressing that human capital development, innovation, discipline, dedication and strong institutions were critical to sustainable economic growth.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Dr Muiz Banire, described the lecture as enriching and rewarding, urging the university management to explore opportunities for domesticating academic programmes and initiatives in Artificial Intelligence.

He also emphasised the need to build strong institutions capable of withstanding leadership changes and continuing to deliver on their mandates.

The governor was accompanied to the event by members of the State Executive Council and other government officials.