Essien was born in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He pursued his higher education in Germany, where he studied software engineering. After gaining experience in the technology sector abroad, he returned to Nigeria with the aim of leveraging technology to solve local problems and contribute to the country's economic development.
In 2013, Essien founded Hotels.ng, which quickly grew to become one of the largest online hotel booking platforms in Nigeria. The platform connects travelers with a wide range of accommodation options across the country, playing a crucial role in the digitization of Nigeria's hospitality and tourism industry. His work with Hotels.ng has often been cited as a success story of local innovation addressing market needs in Africa.
Beyond Hotels.ng, Essien is also involved in other tech ventures and initiatives. He is known for his advocacy for software development and entrepreneurship in Africa, often speaking at technology conferences and mentoring emerging startups. His efforts have contributed to fostering a vibrant tech community in Nigeria, encouraging local talent to build scalable solutions. Essien's impact extends to demonstrating the potential for building successful tech businesses within the African continent, attracting investments, and creating employment opportunities.