Akwa Ibom State (The Land Of Promise)

On this day, 23rd of September,2025, Akwa Ibom state celebrates her birth anniversary.

Akwa Ibom State is located in Nigeria's South-South region. She is known as the "Land of Promise" and boasts a rich culture, the Ibibio ethnic group, and modern infrastructure like its capital, Uyo, which hosts the national airport. The state was created out of Cross River State on the 23rd of September 1987 by the Military Administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Akwa Ibom state is a hub for hospitality, oil and gas, and boasts of beautiful natural sites, art, and crafts, making it a desirable destination for visitors. Akwa Ibom State covers a total land mass of 7, 081sq.km. It lies within latitude 05⁰00 North and 07⁰50 East with a population more than 7.9m people who majority are predominantly farmers.

Akwa Ibom State is a microcosm of Nigeria in terms of ethnicity. There are three major ethnic groups in the State, namely; Ibibio, Annang and Oro, each with a colourful variety of customs, norms and traditions, making the state a kaleidoscope destination of choice for tourists.

Akwa Ibom State has 31 local government areas, they include:

1. Abak with it's Head Quarter as Abak and Code "ABK" is known Agricultural prowess in the cultivation of Yam , Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain & Maize

2. Eastern Obolo with the Head Quarter as Okoroete and the
   Code - KRT is known for its agricultural prowess on Crude Oil, Sea Foods, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock.

3. Eket whose Head Quarter is also known as Eket and Code - KET majorly deals with Crude Oil, Clay, Wood, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

4. Esit Eket with the
   Head Quarter as Uquo and Code AUQ deals majorly with Crude Oil, Silica Sand, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.

5. Essien Udim with the Head Quarter as Afaha Ikot Ebak and Code AFH deals on the foCitrus, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

6. Etim Ekpo has its Head Quarter as Utu Etim Ekpo and
   Code AEE whose Agricultural focus is on Silica Sand, Cocoyam, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.

7. Etinan with the
   Head Quarter also known as Etinan and Code - ETN is rich in natural resources and and produces like:.... Oil, Clay, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

8. Ibeno with the Head Quarter as Upenekang and Code - PNG
   Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.
   Ibeno beach
   

1. Ibesikpo Asutan with the
   Head Quarter as Nung Udoe and the Code NGD plays home to farm and cash crops such as Clay, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

2. Ibiono Ibom with the
   Head Quarter as Okoita and the Code BMT majors in the following: Gravel, Clay, Rice, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.

3. Ika
   HQ - Urua Inyang
   Code - NYA
   Rice, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

4. Ikono with the
   Head Quarter as Ibiaku Ntuk Okpo and
   Code as KKN with the Agricultural prowess on Sea Foods, Wood, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain.

5. Ikot Abasi and the
   Head Quarter as Ikot Abasi and the Code - KTS has its Agricultural prowess on
   Crude Oil, Sea Foods, Silica Sand, Wood, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

6. Ikot Ekpene with the
   Head Quarter also known as Ikot Ekpene and the Code - KTE also popularly known as Rafia City owing to its craftsmanship and cultivation of Raffia Palm, Citrus, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain.

7. Ini with the
   Head Quarter as Odoro Ikpe and the Code - DRK which is well known as Home to several natural resources and cash crops on Clay, Limestone, Gravel, Kolanut, Cocoa, Rice, Silica Sand, Wood, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava and Maize.

8. Itu with the
   Head Quarter is also known as Itu and the Code - TTU known for its vast cultivation and possession of Clay, Cocoyam, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain.

9. Mbo with it's
   Head Quarter as Enwang and the Code ENW is well known for its cultivation and possession of natural resources such as Crude Oil, Sea Foods, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

10. Mkpat Enin with the
    Head Quarter is also known as Mkpat Enin and the Code MKP is popularly known for its agricultural and Cultivation of crops like Citrus, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.

11. Nsit Atai with it's
    Head Quarter as Odot Afaha and the Code as AED Citrus, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

12. Nsit Ibom HQ - Afaha Offiong
    Code - AFG
    Gravel, Sodium Chloride, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.

13. Nsit Ubium HQ - Ikot Edibon
    Code - KTD
    Clay, SugarCane, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock

14. Obot Akara HQ - Nto Edino
    Code - NTE
    Yam, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize

15. Okobo HQ - Okopedi
    Code - KPD
    Water Yam, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

16. Onna HQ - Abat
    Code - ABT
    Crude Oil, Clay, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.

17. Oron HQ - Oron
    Code - RRN stands out in aquatic lives and crops like Gravel, Sea Foods, Water Yam, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock.

18. Oruk Anam HQ - Ikot Ibritam
    Code - KTM
    Oil Palm, Wood, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize.

19. Udung Uko HQ - Eyofin
    Code - EYF
    Crude Oil, Water Yam, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

20. Ukanafun
    HQ - Ikot Akpa Nkuk
    Code - KPK deals majorly on crops like Cocoyam, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain & Maize,

21. Uruan
    HQ - Idu
    Code - DDU takes another route with resources like Gravel, Sodium Chloride, Sea Foods, Raffia Palm, Water Yam, Clay, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize.

22. Urue-Offong/Oruko
    HQ - Urue Offong
    Code - UFG
    Water Yam, Oil Palm, Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock , Plantain.

23. Uyo which is the last and the Capital City of Akwa Ibom State.
    It's Head Quarter is also known Uyo with it's Code UYY. It's known for its natural and aquatic resources such as Clay, Sodium Chloride, Sea Foods, Silica Sand, Oil Palm , Fruits, Cassava, Maize, Vegetables, Livestock, Plantain.

Akwa Ibom State is headed by Governors and below are the past and present Governors of the State.

1. Governor Tunde Ogbeha first Military administrator after the creation of Akwa Ibom. He headed the State from 23 September 1987 to
   30 July, 1988 and oversaw the early development and relocation of government structures.

2. Governor Godwin Abbe headed from 31 July, 1988 to 5 September 1990 and continued administrative structuring and security organization.

3);Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga Governor 5 September 1990 to
2 January 1992. He was the first indigenous governor and contributed to infrastructural and civic developments.

1. Akpan Isemin Governor 2 (Civilian Governor) January 1992 to
   18 November 1993. He was the first elected civilian governor during Nigeria's short-lived Third Republic and removed from office following the military coup that ended the Third Republic.

2. Commander Yakubu Bako Administrator 15 December 1993 to
   21 August 1996. He returned the state to military rule under General Sani Abacha's regime.

3. Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi Administrator 21 August 1996 to
   9 August 1998 and focused on maintaining order during national political instability.

4. Group Captain John Ebiye Administrator 9 August, 1998 to
   29 May, 1999 was the final military administrator and handed over power to an elected democratic government in 1999.

The following were the democratically elected Gorvernors from 1999 till date

1. Obong Victor Bassey Attah Governor 29 May, 1999 to
   29 May, 2007, was a member of the PDP (People's Democratic Party). He's an Architect by Profession and a strong advocate for resource control. He initiated the "Ibom Air", Le Meridien Hotel, and Ibom Power Plant projects. He was also known as the "father of modern Akwa Ibom"

2. Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio Governor 29 May, 2007 to
   29 May, 2015, a member of the PDP. He launched the "Uncommon Transformer" agenda, built major roads, Ibom e-library, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and free education initiative.

3. Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel governed from May 29, 2015 - May 29, 2023, also a member of the PDP. He was the former Zenith Bank executive and technocrat. He focused on industrialization such as Ibom Air, coconut refinery, syringe factory and more, and advocated for peace and political continuity.

4. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (Incumbent)

He was a member of the PDP but later officially defected from party to All Progressive Party (APC) on the 6th of June,2025. He was the former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources. He emphasizes "ARISE AGENDA", focused on Agriculture, Rural development, Infrastructure, Security and Education.
Itam Flyover

Akwa Ibom State has been and will always be a land of peace for both the indigenes and non indigenes. Akwa Ibom is a Land of Prosperity. I'm not an indigene of the State but I've been here for over 12 years and I enjoy every bit of it from the foods like Afang soup, Editan Soup,Atama Soup, Ekpan Nkukwo and many more.

I'll always recommend this State to anyone who's looking for a place to tour for sight seeing, visit and reside.

Happy Birth Anniversary to Akwa Ibom
ALL IMAGES GENERATED FROM GOOGLE