Tech stakeholders have called on youth to embrace Digital Technology to develop their carriers and for economic benefit
Enugu state Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Lawrence Ezeh and Founders of #StartupSouth, made the call on Friday at the
Digital Technology Summit Enugu 2025 organised by Office of Digital Economy in collaboration with other partners for #StartupSouth in Enugu state held on Friday at Cafe One, Enugu SMEs Center, Enugu.
In his speech, the Commissioner told the youth not to see tech summit as waste of time but to see it as an event that can transform their lives.
Pix: Prince Dr Lawrence Ezeh
He said Digital Economy is the art of making use of an activity to make money digitally.
Ezeh noted that the summit hosted in the heart of Enugu, was more than a pre-conference roadshow—”it is a bold statement that Enugu is ready to lead the digital revolution sweeping across Nigeria and the continent at large.
“As we gear up for the 10th edition of #StartupSouthX later this year in Port Harcourt, this summit serves as a strategic spark—mobilizing ideas, people, and partnerships that will shape our collective digital destiny.” he said
The Commissioner commended the organizers of the summit especially the #StartupSouth Enugu community for anchoring the conversation in Enugu.
“This summit is timely and aligns with the vision of our Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s Administration, in building a digitally inclusive and innovation-driven economy. The themes we are exploring today—from artificial intelligence to frontier technologies like IoT, Web3, and quantum computing—are not just buzzwords. They are the engines of tomorrow’s businesses, economies, and livelihoods
“The objectives of this event—raising awareness, fostering partnerships, connecting founders with investors, and showcasing local innovation—speak directly to what we are building in Enugu: a state where tech can thrive, where startups have the policy and infrastructure support they need, and where innovation is not just encouraged but accelerated
“.Under the leadership of His Excellency, our Governor, Enugu State is taking deliberate steps to digitize government processes, support youth-driven tech initiatives, and create enabling environments for innovation hubs, digital upskilling, and investor engagement.,” he said.
The Commissioner said the state government was proud to collaborate on platforms like that.
“Earlier this year, we launched Enugu Smart Tech, a public-private vehicle to incubate frontier tech ventures. We’re also investing in tech-driven climate solutions, broadband infrastructure, and inclusive digital literacy
Advising the participants, he said, “To the startups here today: build boldly, solve locally, and think globally.To our partners and investors: Enugu is open for business—and more importantly, ready for the future.To the youths: your time is now. Leverage this summit to learn, connect, and lead.Let this gathering not end with applause, but with action—action that drives digital transformation from this room to our streets, our markets, our schools, and our industries.
“Together, let’s power businesses through innovation and technology—and build a future where Enugu is not just participating in the digital economy, but leading it,” Ezeh said.
Pix: Convener Uche Aniche
On his part, the Convener of the #StartupSouth 2025 summit, Uche Aniche said the summit was aimed at bringing stakeholders together to brainstorm, seek partnership and connectivity.It was organized in preparation of the 10Th #Start up South summit that will be held in PortHacourt later in the year
#StartupSouthX – 10th Anniversary Edition takes place on October 2nd & 3rd, 2025, and marks a decade of igniting innovation, empowering founders, and transforming underserved cities into thriving startup ecosystems. This landmark edition will bring together bold entrepreneurs, visionary investors, forward-thinking policymakers, and tech leaders to celebrate progress and chart the future. It’s more than an event—it’s a movement shaping the next decade of inclusive growth, starting from the South to the world,,” he said.,
According to him, startup Ecosystem is a collection of stakeholders into different things in the Digital space. .He urged people to invest on Digital skills talents.
Pix: City Lead/Founder, Adaeze Chianumba Okezie
Speaking, Adaeze Chianumba Okezie City Lead for #StartupSouth, Enugu and Founder, Digital Mum Academy said , ” this is 2025 and technology has gone viral. She said Digital transformation technology is to grow businesses.
” We are bringing together founders to meet the people that are building solutions for. This is a room where they meet to collaborate.This is the first time we are having the summit in Enugu .
Chianumba- Okezie, ,who said that they empower women on digital skills., said the summit was to help people to showcase their businesses, learn how to leverage digital tools to grow their businesses.
“We are bringing founders , people that are building solutions to businesses to meet the people they are building solutions for. It is a market place for them to showcase what they are doing .It is going to be an annual thing. It is a system where the ecosystem meet. We collaborate.
We have policy makers, here, government, media, tech hub, we work together to deliberate and contribute to the growth of Enugu state”, she said.
The City Lead/ Founder added that there are over 200 founders , businesses for Enugu.
Giving advice to the youth, she said, ” everybody should embrace Digital technology It is for our own good. It helps you to grow your carrier, grow your business, it gives you access. You can achieve your dream online”.
She added that the Digital Mum Academy was established to help women to improve their carrier.
Pix: Founder, Chidubem Anowor
In his speech also , Chidubem Anowor a #StartupSouth founder said the summit will bring about a massive networking . He said the Enugu State Tech Hub started up as an Ecosystem upscaling destination to scale the under scale ..
” We are trying our best to bridge the gap. As a #StartupSouth founder, we help SMEs, MEME to scale up the economy of any country . Our business provides government ‘s leverage which allows government to transact, collect taxes. and revenues .We connect them to their customers. We provide a funnel , solve issues of collecting taxes. Let’s continue to support Ecosystem summits and engagements . There are opportunities in digital technology,” he said .
Pix: Founder: Chinyere Otuonye
Another Founder, Chinyere Otuonye, founder Sparks Ventures Hub, Enugu and the Lead, Enugu Tech Ecosystem said the summit was organized by Startup South to encourage small businesses and share experiences.
She said over 100 people were at the summit and they will all have someone to help them grow .While the top three will receive funding others will be linked to investors . She advised people who had nothing doing to start doing .something online Things that they know people will buy . Things that can solve people ‘s problems . She added that for them to succeed in the business, they should seek mentorship and show up in programs.
For people who would want to do online business but have fear clicking on links, Otuonye advised them to always check for a link that is secured , link that has an “s” or a website with a lock.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama