The Ubong King Foundation successfully hosted the 9th edition of its flagship conference, Thinkation 2026, on January 31, 2026, at the Flairmore Event Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Held under the theme “ReInvent The Future,” and tagged, “The Homecoming Edition”, the landmark event marked the first time the conference was hosted in Akwa Ibom State, fulfilling a long-held vision of its late founder, Dr. Ubong Thompson King. The event drew a diverse, multi-generational audience of over 1,500 participants, including students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and families.
Delivering her welcome address, Amb. Dr. Mrs. Unyime-Ivy Ubong King (H.C.), Co-Founder of the Foundation and Convener of Thinkation, emphasized the importance of critical thinking, practical education, and innovation in addressing unemployment and poverty.
The Keynote speaker, Dr. Nevers Mumba, former vice president of Zambia and other speakers including Dr. Ugochukwu Omeogu, Prof. Akin Akinpelu, Dr. Ini Abimbola, Mrs. Ekaette Umoh and Moses B. Arthur, delivered practical insights on leadership, enterprise development, profitability, and sustainable growth.
A dynamic Executive Panel featuring Blessing Akpan(Inyene Agro), Iniobong Udo (Founder – Tech Skills Hack), Dr. John Nta (MD,Treasure Island), and Dr. Imoh Imoh-Ita (Associate Professor, Akwa Ibom State University) further enriched the conference with real-world perspectives on building and scaling businesses.
The event was honoured by the presence of Her Excellency, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), who attended as Special Guest of Honour. In collaboration with the Foundation, she extended financial support to selected students under the Ubong King Foundation Student Support Programme. While speaking at the event, Lady Helen Obareki stated that the Thinkation 2026 theme, “Reinventing the Future,” is strategic and insightful- not just a call to imagine, but a call to build something more resilient. She added that the future is not something we wait for; it is what we actively think into existence. She charged the youths to look beyond the ‘what’ and focus on the ‘how’. She appreciated the Foundation and all the speakers for accepting the call and choosing to drive the change we seek.
Also speaking at the conference, the Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Government on Brand Management and Marketing, Mr. Raphael Edem, highlighted the state’s investment and tourism potential.
Beyond the plenaries, attendees enjoyed comedy by General Odey, music by Jenz William and DJ Ritzy, spoken word by LeahKluez , and a vibrant cultural dance performance by Rebirth Nigeria troupe led by Mr. Thomas Etuk.
The National and Akwa Ibom State Anthems were powerfully rendered by Pastor Aity Dennis, Progress Effiong, Bobby Friga, and Barrister Uto Essien.
The event was professionally compered by Saco, Nse Valentine, and Becky Odungide.
The Foundation also unveiled the theme for the next edition, which will be the 10th: “ThinkationX, 2027 – The Quantum Shift.”
The event was supported by brands including Ibom Air, Champion Breweries Plc, Nerster Multimedia Limited, Protection Plus Services Limited, House of Bora, Roothub, Mela Water, XL FM, The Mixx FM, Monty Suites, Threadwox Couture, 8ette’s, and others.
