‘Fear of the unknown is a problem’ – Rivers state of emergency rattles Port Harcourt tech community

“The fear of the unknown is a problem,” says Innocent Destiny, co-founder of Trilber Technologies. In a chat with Technext, his voice tinged with frustration as he reflected on the news that shook the nation on March 18, 2025. “We were not in a war zone. It was the least method of resolution I expected.”

Destiny’s words capture the shock and unease rippling through Portharcourt City’s burgeoning tech ecosystem following President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The president announced this in a nationwide broadcast in which he also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for an initial six months. President Tinubu cited a prolonged political crisis and escalating security threats as reasons for the move.

For the tech community in Port Harcourt, a city striving to carve out a niche as a hub for innovation in Nigeria’s South-South region, this development has sparked a mix of concern, resilience, and cautious hope.

The political tension in Rivers State, rooted in a bitter feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has simmered for months. The conflict, which has been ongoing since 2023 just after the governor was sworn into office, reached a boiling point with several acts of violence like the razing of a section of the state House of Assembly and attacks on oil pipelines.

President Tinubu, in his address, pointed to these incidents as justification for his intervention. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd) as the state’s sole administrator.

“I feel greatly disturbed by the political crisis in Rivers,” Tinubu said. “No responsible president will stand by without taking action.”

Yet, for many in the tech ecosystem, the declaration feels like an overreach that could destabilise an already fragile environment for innovation.

Port Harcourt’s tech community caught in the crossfire

Port Harcourt’s tech ecosystem, though nascent compared to Lagos or Abuja, has been steadily gaining momentum. Initiatives like #StartupSouth, an annual conference fostering entrepreneurship in the South-South and South-East regions, have put the city on the map as a place where creative minds and ambitious founders converge. However, the political instability now threatens to undo this progress.

Destiny, a serial entrepreneur whose company Trilber Technologies focuses on building tech solutions, paints a grim picture of the immediate fallout.

“It’s making our best talents and creative minds leave the state for Lagos and even the country,” he says. “A lot of tech founders have lost hope of building solutions here, especially something long-term.”

The convener of #StartupSouth, Uche Aniche, echoes Destiny’s concerns but strikes a more measured tone:

“I am sure, like every citizen, members of the tech ecosystem are worried and concerned,” he said. “However, if you consider that there has not been much in terms of support to the ecosystem from the political gladiators, as an ecosystem we do not necessarily think anything will change aside from the general perception from our external partners and the attendant loss of opportunities.”

This lack of governmental support has long been a sore point for the tech community in Rivers State, leaving it to fend for itself even in stable times. Now, with the state under emergency rule, the stakes feel higher.

Economic and investment implications

The declaration’s ripple effects extend beyond morale to the economic realities of running a tech business in Port Harcourt. Destiny highlights a critical concern: investor confidence.

“It has also affected the tech sector from the angle of an investor,” he explains. “Investors are scared of making huge and long-term financial investments in tech companies.”

This fear is not unfounded. Rivers State, as Nigeria’s oil hub, has always been a complex terrain for business due to its volatile political and security landscape. The state of emergency, coupled with reports of vandalised oil pipelines and military patrols in the capital, only amplifies the perception of risk.

For a tech ecosystem already struggling to attract venture capital compared to Nigeria’s more established hubs, this could be a devastating blow. The uncertainty surrounding the six-month suspension of democratic governance raises questions about stability, infrastructure, and the rule of law, key factors investors weigh before committing funds.

“Honestly, it’s disappointing,” Destiny adds, “and we are all just watching to see where it leads.”

Yet, Mr Aniche, who doubles as a General Partner at Rebel Seed Capital, calls for calm amid the storm.

“What was declared was a state of emergency; curfew was not declared, meaning there is no restriction of movement,” he notes.

This distinction is crucial. Unlike a curfew, which would directly disrupt daily operations and mobility, the current measures allow tech professionals to continue their work, albeit under a cloud of uncertainty.

“I implore all ecosystem members to stay calm and continue their work as normal,” the convener advises, emphasising resilience as a cornerstone of the community’s response.

A call for leadership and legacy

The political crisis has also prompted soul-searching among stakeholders about the role of leadership in safeguarding the state’s future. Uche Aniche directs a pointed appeal to President Tinubu:

“We call on the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to recognise the enormous responsibility placed on his shoulders at this auspicious time in our history as the father of the nation and act in a way that posterity will be fair to him,” he said.

This plea underscores a broader sentiment that the emergency declaration, while framed as a security measure, risks deepening divisions and alienating the very citizens it aims to protect.

Critics, including opposition figures like the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have lambasted Tinubu’s move as politically motivated. Atiku, in a statement on X, accused the president of “deliberately allowing the crisis in Rivers to escalate” for “selfish political calculations.” The PDP, meanwhile, labelled the appointment of an unelected administrator as “illegal” and a “recipe for crisis.” These voices amplify the tech community’s fears that the state of emergency could exacerbate tensions rather than resolve them.

Resilience amid uncertainty

Despite the challenges, there is a palpable determination within Port Harcourt’s tech ecosystem to weather this storm. Destiny, while candid about his concerns, remains cautiously optimistic.

“We are ambitious to solve problems and be innovative here,” he says. “But we are also concerned about our safety and if the state is even favourable for our growth.”

He also mentions the threat of potential military harassment saying: “We hope the military will not start harassing us for carrying laptops all in the name of fighting Yahoo boys.”

This reflects a practical worry grounded in the lived experiences of tech workers in Nigeria, where security personnel sometimes target young professionals under vague pretences.

The sight of military patrol vehicles rolling into the Government House in Port Harcourt, as reported by Leadership Newspaper, adds to this unease. Yet, daily life in the city continues, with an “uneasy calm” prevailing, as people move about their routines.

For tech founders and developers, this means adapting to the new reality while keeping their eyes on the horizon. “We hope for the best, and we hope things become better too,” Destiny concludes.

As Rivers State navigates this unprecedented chapter, the tech ecosystem stands at a crossroads. The state of emergency, set to last until at least September 2025 barring any extension, casts a long shadow over Port Harcourt’s aspirations to become a tech powerhouse.

The loss of talent, waning investor interest, and external perceptions of instability could stall growth for years. Yet, the community’s response, rooted in resilience and a call for thoughtful leadership, offers a glimmer of hope.

For now, the focus remains on survival and adaptation. As Aniche puts it, “We call on the political gladiators on both sides to consider the effects of their actions on future generations.”

In a city where innovation has often thrived despite neglect, the tech ecosystem’s ability to endure this crisis may well define its legacy.