Experience Academy Inaugurates Youth Incubation Hub in Akwa Ibom, Igniting Leadership and Entrepreneurship
Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria – April 20, 2025 – The Experience Academy has taken a major step in youth empowerment with the official launch of its Youth Incubation Hub on April 7, 2025. This landmark event kicked off a transformative 5-Day Skills Building Workshop, aimed at fostering leadership, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance among young people in Akwa Ibom State.
The opening session was led by Dr. Sharon Hills, Academic Director of the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Georgia State University, who offered an in-depth introduction to the Fellowship and the Reciprocal Exchange Program. Dr. Hills shared insights into the rigorous selection process and affirmed her confidence in the program’s potential to positively impact the lives of youth in Akwa Ibom.
The launch also highlighted a strong international collaboration with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience, represented by James Akan, a U.S. Reciprocal Exchange Awardee. Together, they helped set the tone for a week of transformative learning and skill-building.
Throughout the first day, participants were equipped with foundational skills essential for personal and professional growth, including:
- Leadership Development
- Digital Communication Strategies
- Impactful Storytelling
- Self-Awareness
- Team Collaboration
As the workshop progressed, attendees continued to build on these lessons through daily recaps and deep-dives into identifying personal leadership styles and strengths.
Midweek sessions introduced hands-on training in Hair Cream and Liquid Soap production, empowering participants with practical, income-generating skills. Complementing the technical training were essential soft-skill sessions focused on building confidence in communication and mastering authentic public speaking.
The week concluded with a grand finale, offering a platform for participant feedback and featuring a powerful session led by the YALI Akwa Ibom State Coordinator. The Coordinator shared real-world insights on overcoming leadership challenges, resolving team conflicts, and fostering youth-driven solutions to community development.
The Experience Academy’s Youth Incubation Hub stands as a beacon of opportunity, driving a new era of leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth for young people in Akwa Ibom State and beyond.
