Governor Eno proposes higher bursary for Akwa Ibom students

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced plans to increase the annual bursary for students in public tertiary institutions from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000. Students studying Medicine, Law and Engineering would receive ₦250,000 under the proposed plan. Eno announced the development in a fireside chat on the second day of the Ibom Ignite 2026 Conference at Ibom Hall, Uyo, on Wednesday.

He explained that the proposed increase would take effect if he wins the February 2027 governorship election and is sworn in for a second term. Governor Eno said the increase was intended to help students manage their tuition fees more easily, adding that his administration would sustain free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary school levels.

Business Grants and Housing Programmes

Governor Eno also urged beneficiaries of the ₦50 million Ibom Ignite business grant to use the funds judiciously to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods. The state governor described the grant as seed capital for business development, warning that beneficiaries should not spend it on personal pleasure or unproductive ventures. He encouraged the young entrepreneurs to invest the funds carefully and work towards achieving their business goals.

Speaking on his administration's support for vulnerable residents, Eno said more than 500 Compassionate Homes had been built for less privileged people across the state's 31 local government areas. He added that each beneficiary received a ₦500,000 business grant to support their livelihood, and pledged to build an additional 1,000 Compassionate Homes and provide the accompanying business grants across the state's wards if re-elected for a second term. He also highlighted youth development programmes at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre, and the newly completed youth development centres across the state.

Conference Speeches

Earlier, the conference guest speaker and Chief Executive Officer of Strategy House Limited, Dr. Maxwell Ubah, urged young people to develop a mindset that supports economic growth and social relevance. Speaking on the theme of changing thinking and futures, Ubah said wealth creation begins with the mind and noted that sound economic policies and leadership could help overcome geographical limitations. He encouraged young people to see problems as opportunities for enterprise and identified potential, problems, passion, and possibilities as key ingredients for success.

Other speakers at the conference included the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hensek Integrated Services Limited, Engr. Uwem Stephen Okoko, and Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey. Additional speakers were the Governor's Delivery Adviser on Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, the Sole Administrator of Ibom Paint and Programme Director at the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre, Ime Uwah, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Start Innovation Hub, Hanson Johnson.