•Governor Umo Eno
As Akwa Ibom clocks 38, the state stands tall, not just in age but in purpose, vision and progressive action.
•Tunde Ogbeha, 1st Military Governor
Created out of the old Cross River State on September 23, 1987, Akwa Ibom was born out of the unyielding resolve of patriots. These heroes, politicians, traditional leaders, civil society actors, all envisioned a land of peace, equity, economic empowerment, dignity, self-determination and cultural pride for its people.
Granted that unexamined life is not worth living, every 23rd September provides the state some moments for self-re-examination, reflection and a time to appreciate the strides of all her past leaders while appraising the path the state is taking under its incumbent leadership.
•Godwin Abbey, 2nd Military Governor
Thirty-eight years on, Governor Umo Eno is breathing new life into those dreams of the Heroes past. A man who, though not a politician by profession, has brought a refreshing blend of humanity, vision and practicality to governance. For 2 years and 4 months, the governor has been committed to advancing the ideals of equity, growth and grassroots development that the founding fathers held dear.
Since taking office on May 29, 2023, Governor Umo Eno has pursued a governance style rooted in community engagement, grassroots development, and economic self-reliance. His “ARISE Agenda” has become more than a campaign manifesto; it is a living blueprint for sustainable development.
•Idongesit Nkanga, 3rd Military Governor and 1st indigenous governor
DREAM ON INFRASTRUCTURE
Heroes of Akwa Ibom’s creation believed in a state with solid infrastructure and today, the current administration is pushing that belief forward.
Unlike the flamboyant projects that often dominate Nigerian politics, Governor Eno’s approach to infrastructure has been one of intentional simplicity; focus on what the people truly need, and delivering them efficiently.
Under his leadership, roads measuring 771km have either been completed, commissioned or are at various stages of execution across the three senatorial districts of the state.
In Uyo Senatorial District, all the nine LGAs of the three federal constituencies have over 262km of road projects and 10 bridges either completed or ongoing. This include; the 6 lanes Udom Emmanuel Boulevard, Dual Carriage Ikot Imo–Ikot Ekpene Udo-Okon Eket Road, Ikot Ubo-Odot Road, Ikot Eyo-East West Road, Mbiaya Uruan-Mbiakong-Ekritam Road, Flood Control project at Atiku Abubakar, dual carriage Ring Road Ill between Idoro and Ikot Ekpene road, Efa-Mkpat Enin Road, Nsai Use Ikot Amama-Nkwot Edem Ede mm Nung Ukim road among others.
Similarly, the sweet aroma of the golden era resonates across the 10 local government areas in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. From Usaka Annang in Obot Akara to Obotme in Ini and from Urua Naira in Ikono to Ekparakwa in Oruk Anam LGA, there are visible imprints of Governor Eno’s Golden era. The Ikot Ekaide-Ikot Ibritam Road in Oruk Anam, with 2 bridges, Usaka Annang-Nko Road in Obot Akara, Abak 10 Miles-Manta Road, Abak, Nto ide-Ikot Amba Bridge with approach Road in Obot Akara, Ntak Ibesit-Ekparakwa Road in Oruk Anam and Ikot Ekang-Ikot Edong road with 2 bridges.
•Akpan Isemin, 1st elected Civilian Governor
Other roads in this district include; Spring Road reconnecting the Loretti Girls college, Ikot Ekpene, Obotme-Ikpanya Road with 2 bridges, Ini, Ikot Otomo-Azumini Road, and internal roads at Ikot Udom all at Ika Local Government Area. Midim Atan Ikot Imonte road in Abak, Ikot Ayan-Ediene-Nung Ukim Road with bridge, Nkari-Mbente-Anwafi Road and several others, indeed Akwa Ibom is a huge construction site.
Eket Senatorial District under Governor Eno has reserved its right of place as the harbinger of the state’s natural wealth, receiving in the last two years, a total of 236.35 km of roads across the 12 LGAs.
Some of these roads include, 28km Dual Carriage Nsit Atai-Okobo-East West road, Effiong Esang & Ukpong Streets, in Oron, Edikor-Udesi road linking Udung Uko and Mbo LGAs, Unyenge Road in Mbo, Chief Ikpong Etteh road & Spring Roads in Ibeno, 14km network of roads in Awa, Onna LGA as well as the Idua Road, Mkpok Housing Estate roads, Emergency intervention at Afia Nsit, the dual carriage Ofriyo-Ikot Ekpene Udo road and the St Francis School access road and internal roads all in Eket Local Government Area. The Mkpat Enin-Ikot Ubo-Nkikara Road linking Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin LGA, Ntan Ide Ekpe-Ikot Akata road in ONNA and Mkpat Enin, Ofriyo-Ikot Ekpene Udo road from Eket to Nsit Ubium, Ikot Akpaden-Iko Town dual carriage road, from Mkpat Enin to Eastern Obolo, the Ikot Akpaden-Ibekwe Akpanya road in Mkpat Enin, amongst others.
All these roads have improved connectivity and accessibility, especially opening up rural areas, boosting economic activities and enhancing the Governor’s vision of making Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria’s destination of choice.
•Yakubu Bako, 4th Military Governor
DREAM ON AVIATION
Transforming Akwa Ibom into a major aviation hub in West Africa was the major dream of those heroes who fought for the state’s creation: From Obong Victor Attah that conceived the Airport, through Chief Godswill Akpabio who landed the first aircraft, down to Mr Udom Emmanuel – the man behind Ibom Air, Governor Eno has visibly advanced these legacies of all his democratically elected predecessors.
On airport infrastructure; Governor Eno has approved and released over a billion naira for the comprehensive overhaul of key airport facilities, including the replacement of navigation aids and upgrade of the airfield.
He has also overseen the Ibom Air’s fleet, receiving new aircraft such as the Airbus A220-300 and CRJ 900 Bombardier series. Beyond his determination to complete the MRO facility which would further boost the state’s aviation ecosystem, the governor is also constructing a multi-billion naira aviation village to accommodate aviation workers and improve efficiency.
TOURISM
In the area of tourism, Governor Eno is making bold strides to reposition Akwa Ibom as a top-tier destination. One of the flagship projects is the transformation of a once-dangerous, erosion-ravaged ravine into the world-class recreational facility code-named the ARISE Resort.
Further cementing the state’s tourism credentials, his administration is spearheading the development of several landmark infrastructures. These include the 5,000-capacity International Convention Center, the 200-bed Ibom International Hotel, and the emerging ARISE Shopping City, all strategically designed to attract international and local tourists, boost business travel, and support the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.
Earlier achievements under Governor Eno also include the construction of a 20,000-capacity amphitheater at Unity Park in Uyo, which has become a hub for high-profile cultural, entertainment, and public events.
•Joseph Adeusi, 5th Military Governor
In addition, the government has placed a strong emphasis on community-based tourism by promoting eco-tourism sites, revitalizing historical landmarks, and supporting local artisans and tour operators.
Through these multi-dimensional efforts, the “Destination Akwa Ibom” narrative is no longer aspirational; it’s becoming a lived reality, gaining traction both nationally and internationally.
ON ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT
Governor Umo Eno’s administration has made a significant impact on skills training and entrepreneurial development.
Some notable initiatives include; the formal opening of the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center, DASAC and the establishment of Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom-LED), a center that provides training, mentorship, and support to entrepreneurs. At this center, 1,700 entrepreneurs have been trained through the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Programme, EAP and also empowered with seed capital ranging from N500,000 to N750,000.
Still on Entrepreneurial development, Governor Eno has disbursed 2 billion grants to support farmers, with over 2,000 farmers receiving between N250,000 and N500,000 each under the ARISE Farmers Grant. He also disbursed N2 billion grants to traders with 3,445 traders receiving from N250,000 to N1 million.
On Equipment Support initiative, over 10,000 sets of equipment have been presented to 2,000 entrepreneurs engaged in various crafts, including tailoring, barbing, shoe making, and welding while the MSMEs Support Grants of N5 million have been presented to at least 2 people in each of the 31 LGAs.
•John Ebiye, 6th Military Governor
COMPASSIONATE GESTURES
In Nigeria today, the name Umo Bassey Eno has become a byword for compassion. His commitment to kindness has set a new standard for leadership, making compassion a defining characteristic of his government.
Through initiatives like the Arise compassionate Homes, regular distribution of free food to the vulnerable, institution of N100 million Education Trust Fund for persons living with disabilities, the Arise for the Elderly initiative where select 600 elders receive N50,000 monthly and free medical outreaches, the pastor-turned governor has demonstrated his dedication to transforming lives and restoring hopes.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
In housing development, Governor Eno has achieved a remarkable hat-trick – erecting luxury homes for elites, over 150 free homes to civil servants, and creating for the vulnerable, a happy abode codenamed Arise Compassionate Homes.
With a target of 500 across the 368 political wards before 2027, 267 have already been delivered, while several others are at various stages of completion.
Other housing estates still under development include; the Ewet Luxury Garden, Dakkada Luxury Estate, Judiciary Quarters, Aviation Village, amongst others.
IMPRINTS IN HEALTH
Governor Eno has made significant strides in the health sector. These include the construction of model health centers across all LGAs, approval for recruitment of 2,000 health workers, upgrade of secondary health facilities, integration of traditional health attendants, institution of state, health insurance scheme, institution of the state emergency medical service and ambulance system, construction of Ibom international hotel and the recent declaration of state of emergency on this sector, aimed at accelerating reforms and deliver efficient healthcare services.
•Obong Victor Attah, 2nd elected governor and Father of Modern Akwa Ibom State
ON EDUCATION
Heroes of Akwa Ibom’s creation wanted a state where children would have access to free education and Governor Eno has reinforced the free and compulsory education for children in primary and secondary schools, by providing uniforms, sandals, socks and other educational materials for pupils in all model primary schools.
In addition to advancing the free education policy, Governor Eno has built modern and well-equipped model schools across the 31 LGAs. Model secondary schools are also under construction while dilapidated classrooms are being replaced with modern blocks at all state-owned schools including tertiary institutions
Beyond infrastructure, the government has revived bursary scheme for undergraduates from Akwa Ibom and expanded scholarships for brilliant but indigent students.
Regular training for teachers has become the new order of the day with tertiary institutions gaining accreditation of relevant programmes.
ON AGRICULTURE
Governor Eno’s agricultural imprints focus on food security and economic diversification through the ARISE Agenda, including a Tree Crops Development Programme to revive oil palm production, establishment of a pilot Ibom Model Farm, empowerment of farmers with inputs like seedlings and fertilizers, and forging partnerships, including with the state’s own Ibom FADAMA Microfinance Bank to increase access to credit.
The governor also encourages farmers with initiatives like “Farm Free Days” and collaborates internationally, for example, with Turkiye on agricultural development.
There is also Ibom Integrated Farm built by Governor Eno. This 50-hectare farm modeled after the Shanghai farm, serves as a pilot project to ensure food security through intensive and extensive agriculture.
•Godswill Akpabio
SECURITY
To sustain the acclaim as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful and secured states, Governor Eno has made security a priority through credible interagency collaboration, donation of vehicles and equipment to security agencies, establishment of the lbom Security Watch, tying all of these up with the ongoing construction of the Security and Command Centre to coordinate operations.
ON SPORTS
Despite making some significant strides in all other sectors, Governor Eno is not wanting in sports development. Beyond maintaining sports facilities built by his predecessors, Governor Eno’s administration is committed to harnessing sports as a tool for youth engagement, empowerment, job creation and tourism promotion.
In walking the talk, the Governor created a stand-alone Ministry of Sports, approved funds for the procurement of sporting equipment, revived the long forgotten Governor’s Cup football competition amongst local government and hosted the Akwa Ibom State Sports festival which featured 18 groups and 5 individual sports.
In addition to these, a sports complex with facilities for indoor and outdoor games within the ARISE park is set to open in December 2025 while Ibom Sports Academy is under construction in Eket.
With all these imprints, it is safe to say that at 38, Akwa Ibom is not just older, it is wiser, more self-assured, and better positioned for future greatness.
•Udom Emmanuel, immediate past governor
The legacy of its founding heroes is not being forgotten; it is being actively honoured through policies that reflect their original hopes for the state.
Governor Umo Eno’s leadership signals a continuity of purpose, a faithful advancement of the journey started in 1987. His governance reminds us that the true measure of leadership lies not in how loud the voice, but in how lasting the impact.
•Umo Eno, the incumbent
As the state marks this milestone, Akwa Ibomites at home and in the diaspora have every reason to celebrate, not just for how far they have come, but for the solid path they are now on.
Indeed, the dream lives on. And with leaders like Governor Umo Eno, the dreams are in safe hands.
