Ugi Augustine Ugi is widely acknowledged as a visionary leader in the African technology ecosystem, standing out with his innovative spirit and relentless determination. As the Solutions Architect and President of Nugi Group, Ugi's ambitions extend beyond the conventional boundaries of personal and corporate success. His mission is nothing short of revolutionary: to cultivate a future where African tech talent not only thrives but also innovates on its terms, free from the constraints of Western standards.
As Ugi envisions the future of his work and the enduring legacy he aspires to create, one pivotal moment in his life comes to mind. It was 2008, and he had just submitted a proposal to automate all 18 Local Government Areas in Cross River State. This was no small feat—it represented a quantum leap in the state's technological infrastructure, promising to streamline operations, enhance transparency, and bring government services into the 21st century.
The fact that Ugi lacked significant project management experience at the time did not deter him; in his mind, vision and determination could overcome any deficit in experience. Ugi had a meeting scheduled for 7.00 pm with the Special Assistant to the Governor, and as always, he arrived early—punctuality being one of his mantras: early is on time, late is unacceptable.
When Ugi was called into the office, his heart raced with anticipation. He was confident his proposal would be accepted. Looking back now, he realises he would have approached it differently. “In 2008, Cross River wasn’t prepared for that kind of forward-thinking project,” he admits. "Technologically, the state was years behind." After a few questions, the Special Assistant asked, "Where’s your boss?" The question caught Ugi off guard. Did one need a boss to have a vision?
Unprepared for that query, he improvised, claiming his "boss" was out of town. The Special Assistant wasn’t satisfied and insisted on meeting this imaginary superior. Ugi left the meeting disheartened. He couldn’t understand why they couldn’t see his potential. Only four years out of secondary school, he had already embraced technology while trying to get into the University to study Medicine. If he had been in the Special Assistant’s position, he would have viewed this as an opportunity to mentor young talent, rather than dismissing it. This experience became the catalyst for Ugi's mission to support and nurture young tech talent in Africa.
Ten years later, in 2018, Ugi's commitment to fostering young talent was put to the test when 14-year-old Anthonia Alexis Asikpo approached him alongside her mother with a passion for technology. Her devotion was undeniable, and her focus surpassed that of many adults. Ugi had known her father, who had passed away, and felt his duty was to help her fulfil her potential.
“I didn’t just make a promise—I committed,” Ugi recalls. He reassured Anthonia’s mother that he would support her, even offering to send her to university if the opportunity arose. While they may not have entirely believed the scope of his promise, Ugi knew that commitments are only as powerful as the belief shared on both sides. “Both Anthonia and I believed,” he says. She started training at Nugi Technologies free of charge, quickly mastering skills in HTML, open-source, and closed-source technologies, and more. Ugi and his team invested in her development, creating what he calls "a gem."
However, the journey was far from easy. In 2019, when Nugi Technologies relocated from Calabar to Lagos, things became more complex. Ugi’s health deteriorated, and the pressures of the move took its toll on everyone involved, including Anthonia who started to feel lost. “I could see she was struggling, but I couldn’t help her because I couldn’t even help myself,” he confesses. Despite the obstacles, Anthonia stayed. Her belief in Ugi and the company remained unwavering, and today, she’s pursuing Business Computing at Brunel University in the UK, which is fully funded by a scholarship provided by Nugi Technologies.
Anthonia's story is just the beginning. Nugi Technologies has since awarded scholarships to eight more promising young individuals, each embodying the principle: show up, be consistent, and we will stand by you. Ugi views this initiative as a means of nurturing local talent and ensuring they have access to the opportunities they need to thrive.
Ugi's commitment doesn't end when these students go abroad; he is dedicated to supporting them when they return, ensuring that the knowledge gained serves Africa's unique needs. This vision is epitomised in the 300-hectare tech city he is constructing in Akpabuyo, Cross River. It is envisioned as a space where doctors, engineers, architects, and technology talents can work together, contributing to a thriving community.
Ugi is adamant that Africa must carve out its own path in the tech world. “We can’t build for Africa the way the West builds for itself,” he asserts. "We need local solutions that address our specific challenges and realities. It’s about creating something lasting—an ecosystem where talent can thrive and where the future of African tech is built by Africans, for Africans." This belief fuels Nugi Technologies’ investment in scholarships, innovation hubs, and talent development programmes, all aimed at empowering young Africans to create solutions tailored to the continent’s unique needs.
As Ugi looks to the horizon, he sees a future where African innovation leads the way in solving global challenges. With every scholarship granted, every talent nurtured, and every returning innovator supported, that future draws closer.