AUTO-BIOGRAPHY OF EDIDIONG SAMUEL AKPAN

Edidiong Samuel Akpan (born 4 April 1990) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, accountant, and business developer. He is the co-founder of BuyinBytes Solutions Limited and its subsidiary Softfood by BuyinBytes Limited, a multi-sector platform and food service brand focused on improving access to African products and services through technology-driven solutions.ref Early Life and Background Edidiong Samuel Akpan was born prematurely at seven months on 4 April 1990 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He hails from Nto Edet, a village in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, known for its traditional bone-setting heritage. Education Akpan began his early childhood education in 1993 at Sifon International Nursery and Primary School. He proceeded to Holy Family College (HOFACO) in 2002 for his secondary education, where he completed his senior secondary studies. He later retook his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2009 at Army Day Secondary School, Ibagwa, Abak. In the 2009/2010 academic session, he gained admission into the University of Uyo, where he studied Accounting. He graduated in 2014 and proceeded for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program in November of the same year. Career Akpan began gaining work experience early in his academic journey. During a prolonged university strike in 2010, he worked as a lobby boy at Food Affairs Limited before returning to complete his studies. After completing his NYSC program in 2015, he joined Food Affairs Limited as a graduate trainee in December 2015. Within a few months, he was deployed from the company’s headquarters to manage and oversee accounting operations for a new branch. In January 2017, he resigned and joined Everyday Foods Group as an accountant. After two years, he transitioned into the audit department within the organization. He remained there until 2022, when he left to join Petrok Oil and Gas Services Limited in an accounting role. In 2024, he transitioned into a remote role with Petrok and simultaneously took up a position with Konstelec Engineers Limited EPC Nigeria Limited, a multinational engineering company. Entrepreneurship In 2025, following a strategic brainstorming session with software developer Matthew Idungafa, Akpan co-founded BuyinBytes Solutions Limited. The company is designed as a multi-sector e-commerce and fintech platform incorporating features such as crowdfunding, bidding systems, escrow services, and peer-to-peer transactions. Alongside BuyinBytes, he also co-founded Softfood by BuyinBytes Limited, a food service subsidiary focused on scheduled meal delivery to offices, schools, and events. The founding team includes Matthew Idungafa, Jude Oriko, and Patrick Idungafa. Business operations officially commenced in 2026, with planned milestones including: Work-in (soft operations): 15 April 2026 Official MVP platform launch (BuyinBytes.com): 25 April 2026 Business Interests Akpan’s professional interests span: Accounting and financial management E-commerce and fintech innovation Food and hospitality services Startup development and operations