ARISE Youth Skills Week 2.0: Akwa Ibom's "Skills for a Shared Future" Programme

What It Is

The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Youth Development has officially announced the programme and participation framework for ARISE Youth Skills Week 2.0, themed "Skills for a Shared Future." It's an official Akwa Ibom State Government initiative, convened by the Ministry of Youth Development under Honourable Commissioner Dr. Ekerette Paul Ekanem, designed to give young people platforms to showcase innovation, connect with employers and mentors, and engage with the state's broader youth development ecosystem.

Key Dates

• August 17, 2026 — Press conference and opening of application portals (the public phase has already begun)
• August 24, 2026 — ARISE Youth Pitch 2.0 (core activities at the Ibom E-Library Complex, Uyo)
• August 25, 2026 — World Youth Skills Day Celebration (programme culmination)

Who Can Participate — Six Categories

1. ARISE Youth Pitch Challenge — Open to Akwa Ibom indigenes/residents aged 15–35 with projects beyond the idea stage (prototype, early-revenue, or growth stage). Focus areas include precision agriculture, environmental innovation, tourism/creative economy, blue economy, green digital tech, and sustainable digital commerce. Applicants must clearly show the problem addressed, target market, business model, feasibility, and scalability.

2. Exhibition Challenge — For young innovators, producers, and entrepreneurs to showcase existing products (physical, digital, or live demos) directly to stakeholders and potential partners.

3. ARISE Impact Stories — For beneficiaries of prior ARISE Agenda programmes to document how skills, grants, or training changed their livelihoods.

4. Job Market — Employer Registration — For private companies, public institutions, NGOs, and startups to list full-time roles, internships, apprenticeships, contracts, or volunteer positions through the Akwa Ibom Job and Opportunity Market.

5. Job Market — Mentor Registration — For experienced professionals to offer guidance in tech/AI, agriculture, fintech, creative industries, business strategy, sales/marketing, and career development.

6. Volunteer Registration — Open to ages 16–45, covering logistics, registration, ushering, media/photography, social media, tech support, hospitality, and first aid.

How to Apply

Applications go through the official channels at ariseyouthskillsweek.ng/apply. A physical/offline registration option is also available for those unable to apply online. Applicants should select the correct category and provide accurate, verifiable information, as submissions may be checked during screening. Those shortlisted for competitive categories (like the Pitch Challenge) will receive further selection details afterward.

The Bigger Picture

The programme is explicitly framed around connecting skills to real opportunities rather than ending with a single event, the Job and Opportunity Market component is meant to link participants to internships, employment, funding access, and mentorship that continues beyond the two-day event itself.

One Note on Timing

Since applications opened August 17 and the core Pitch event is August 24, with the closing celebration August 25, this is a fast-moving window if you're planning to apply, there isn't much runway left. The site advises treating the official ariseyouthskillsweek.ng platform as the authoritative source over any earlier or unofficial planning documents that may be circulating.

Source: ARISE Youth Skills Week official news — ARISE Youth Skills Week 2.0: Official Programme, Key Dates and Participation Information