The efforts made by software developers and other techies in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital isn’t going unnoticed by the general tech community in Nigeria.

Some of Nigeria’s top tech personalities have applauded their efforts, even referring the peaceful capital of Akwa Ibom as ‘the software developer capital of Nigeria’.

The conversation started with a tweet by Editi Effiong, founder at Anakle, a leading digital agency In Nigeria when he said:

“Been wondering how Uyo has become the software developer capital of Nigeria. What happened there? So many great devs coming out.”

Been wondering how Uyo has become the software developer capital of Nigeria. What happened there? So many great devs coming out.

— Editi Effiòng (@EditiEffiong) July 14, 2019

Mark Essien, founder and CEO of Hotels.ng, dropped a comment saying:

“Advocacy. Multiple people pushing it from different angles + active hubs and support. Start pushing the narrative too and the wheel will continue spinning. Next will be to figure out how to not make many leave to Lagos.”

Advocacy. Multiple people pushing it from different angles + active hubs and support. Start pushing the narrative too and the wheel will continue spinning. Next will be to figure out how to not make many leave to Lagos.

— Mark Essien (@markessien) July 14, 2019

Ized Uanikhehi, a leading female Digital media guru in Nigeria also gave a nod to this with this tweet:

“Hanson @nextdeegit began this revolution and started a ripple wave effect.

It’s a community effort. I was taught to code by what? 5-6 people? Everybody has your time. They want to see you succeed.”

Hanson @nextdeegit began this revolution and started a ripple wave effect.

It’s a community effort. I was taught to code by what? 5-6 people? Everybody has your time. They want to see you succeed.

— Ized Uanikhehi… (@zegbua) July 14, 2019

The Akwa Ibom tech community is indeed one of Nigeria’s fastest growing tech- ecosystem and this has been largely possible by the efforts of its two active Hubs; Start Innovation Hub and The Root Hub and other stakeholders. Over the years, they have churned out new crops of techies while collaborating with global tech giants which include Google, Facebook, IBM and even the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria.

Read some of the below comments found on the tweet thread attest to the success stories in Uyo:

Uyo is living proof that the biggest success factor of any tech community is the people.
Kudos to @nextdeegit and the team at @starthubtech for starting the spark and keeping the it alive long enough for others to bring the fuel that turned it into a bonfire

— Chukwuemeka Afigbo (@nke_ise) July 14, 2019

I came to meet this ecosystem (as a designer) in the hands of strong men. A few names: @nextdeegit @codekago @tonyonuk @christianjombo …

— IG: @artofofiare (@artofofiare) July 14, 2019

1 year ago I came to Uyo broke, homeless, without a job, income or any significant skill but a dream. I learnt @starthubtech during the day and worked all night at Uniuyo, fast forward one year after everything is different and it wouldn’t have been possible without @nextdeegit

— Manny (@Manny_VII) July 15, 2019

The hope for an alternative source of sustenance away from politics and politicians, has inspired the youths to channel their energy into tech. Yes, multiple inputs from a lot of people has helped grow the ecosystem. A win for one is a win for all.

— tony onuk (@tonyonuk) July 14, 2019

Community, collaboration of existing tech hubs, peer-to-peer mentorship and experienced developers that stayed to inspire and give back happened. We wanted to give aspiring developers reason to live and work from Uyo so we stayed to grow the community. @starthubtech @Theroothub

— David Inyang-Etoh (@dinyangetoh) July 14, 2019

I’ll tell you. We’re having a generation of kids that are so driven and gifted with the talent to Create. A lot of tech hubs have been trying to help them. You want surprises, go see what these kids do Rootshub

— Ifiøk David🖌️ (@wizziez9) July 14, 2019

Thanks to…Hanson @nextdeegit, Samuel @codekago, @tonyonuk Roothub, @christianjombo Heptapixels, and other silent tech ecosystem actors in Uyo!

— Akan Ebong☔ (@Akanebong) July 14, 2019