Gov Eno Bolsters Smart City Project, Launches Digital Internet Backbone at VIA

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Digital backbone, a high-speed internet connectivity infrastructure has been switched on at the Victor Attah International Airport (VAI), Uyo, in a major step towards transforming the airport into a smart international aviation hub and strengthening the state’s digital economy.

The digital backbone, powered by MainOne, was activated on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as part of the State Government’s strategic investment in digital infrastructure and innovation under the ARISE Agenda.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Umo Eno, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, described high-speed internet connectivity as a critical currency of the modern global economy.

The Governor said the initiative as a significant milestone in his administration’s vision of building a Smart City and creating an efficient digital ecosystem capable of supporting the State’s economic, security and development needs.

He commended the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, for his commitment to advancing the State’s digital transformation agenda, as well as MainOne, the State’s technical partner, for its role in delivering the infrastructure.

Governor Eno noted that his administration’s deliberate decision to embrace digital technology, innovation and the digital economy had continued to contribute to the growth of the State’s internally generated revenue, particularly with the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, TSA.

He said digital technology was also being progressively integrated into the State’s security architecture, assuring that the administration would continue to expand its investment in digital infrastructure and technology.

The Governor said the activation of the facility marked the beginning of greater digital possibilities for Akwa Ibom, stressing that more transformative initiatives would be unveiled as the State continues its march towards becoming a smart and digitally connected State.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, said Akwa Ibom is among the few locations in Nigeria with access to such advanced digital connectivity infrastructure, noting that, apart from Lagos, Akwa Ibom had emerged as a major beneficiary of the facility.

He explained that the high-capacity connectivity would provide the technological backbone required to power the airport and the wider aviation ecosystem.

Ekpenyong disclosed that the State Government had entered into an agreement with MainOne, for the provision of high-speed internet connectivity, adding that the facility currently activated at the airport provides connectivity at a multi-gigabit-per-second capacity.

He declared that the connectivity was now live and that Akwa Ibom had been effectively connected to the global digital network through the submarine fibre-optic cable infrastructure extending across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Commissioner said the infrastructure would also support the State’s security surveillance facility currently being developed by the government, thereby strengthening real-time monitoring and security response capabilities.

He thanked Governor Eno for providing the vision, political will and support necessary to drive the State’s digital transformation agenda.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, West Africa, MainOne, Wole Abu, commended the State Government for its foresight and commitment to digital transformation.

Abu said the world had entered an age where information and connectivity were indispensable to economic development, adding that any society without reliable internet connectivity would be disadvantaged in the modern economy.

He explained that the deployment of the submarine fibre-optic cable infrastructure through the Atlantic Ocean to Akwa Ibom would connect the State directly to the global digital network and provide access to high-speed and reliable internet services.

The MainOne executive commended Akwa Ibom for taking a leading position in the adoption of digital technology in Nigeria, assuring that the company remained committed to partnering with the State in the development of world-class digital infrastructure.

He also expressed appreciation to the State Government for the confidence reposed in MainOne as its technical partner.

In his welcome remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Aviation and Airport Development, Mr. Uwem Ekanem, described the activation of the high-speed connectivity as a major milestone in the development of the Victor Attah International Airport.

Ekanem said the digital infrastructure would significantly enhance passenger services and experience within the airport terminal, while improving operational efficiency across the aviation ecosystem.