Akwa Ibom State Overview: A Complete Understanding & Insight

The beautiful land of Akwa Ibom state was created in 1987. The state was carved out of Cross River State, and its capital is Uyo, where the state administration is headquartered. The name “Akwa Ibom” originate from the Qua Iboe River, which flows into the Bight of Bonny. This South-South state shares borders with Cross River State, Rivers State, Imo State, and Abia State. It also has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, which allows access through waterways and promotes fishing activities.

What location?

Akwa Ibom is situated in the southeastern region of Nigeria. It is bordered by:

  • The Atlantic Ocean to the south
  • Cross River State to the east
  • Abia and Imo States to the north

On the map, the state is approximately located at latitude 5.0000° N and longitude 7.0000° E.

Geographical Features

The state is strategically located at the intersection of the Central African Mangrove and the Niger Transition Forest. Significantly, the Imo River flows along the eastern border of the state, while the Cross River demarcates the western border of Akwa Ibom. The Kwa Ibo River is a major water body that runs through the interior of the state, emptying into its tributary, the Bight of Bonny.

Another important geographical feature is a forest reserve in the southeastern part of the state. This reserve contains notable wildlife, including the African leopard, a unique monkey species, crocodiles, and chimpanzees of the Nigeria–Cameroon origin, among others.

Akwa Ibom State
Capital: Uyo
akwa ibom state map Nickname: Land of Promise
Date of Creation:23 September 1987
LocationSouth East
Executive Governor:Pastor Umo Eno
Deputy Governor:Akon Eyakenyi
Population:5.5 million as at 2006 Census
Language:Ibibio, Efik, Annang and others
LGA:31
Postal CodeNA

Climate: Dry & Wet Season

The region experiences warm temperatures throughout the year, accompanied by significant rainfall. There are two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season spans from November to February, characterized by lower humidity (with an average of 80%) and reduced precipitation. The rainy season has two phases: light rains from March to October and heavier rainfall from June to September. The abundant rain promotes crop growth and supports fish farming, making fresh fish relatively cheap and affordable compared to northern states. Overall, Akwa Ibom has shorter dry months (about 52 days) and longer rainy periods.

Population Size

The population might have increased since, but it was estimated to be 5.5 million according to the last census held in 2016. The state ranks 30th in land area (2,734 sq mi) and 15th largest in population among the 36 states in the Nigerian federation.

Language of The People

English is the official language used in public, governmental, and educational sectors in Akwa Ibom State. However, Ibibio is the primary language spoken, with Efik and Annang also widely used. Although other ethnic groups reside in the state, there are up to 30 local dialects spoken across the “Land of Promise” (the state’s slogan). The languages spoken in Akwa Ibom are more than 20 and include Anaang, Ebughu, Efai, Efik, Ekit, Enwang, Etebi, Ibibio, Ibino (Ibọnọ), Ibuoro, Idere, Igbo, Ika, Iko, Ilue, Itu Mbon Uso, Iwerre, Nkari, Obolo (Andoni), Okobo, Oro, and Uda.

Occupation of  The People

Akwa Ibom is a major crude oil-producing state. It leads in oil production among the states in Nigeria. Due to the oil industry and the state’s terrain, farming activities are relatively low, but the people still cultivate crops such as yam, cocoyam, and plantain. Fishing and snail farming (heliculture) are also common occupations in the state.

Religion of The Area

The people of Akwa Ibom are predominantly Christian, with the majority being either Catholic or Anglican (Orthodox Churches). For example, the population of the Catholic diocese in Uyo, the capital, was counted to be 976,971 as of 2020, with several parishes under the care of notable bishops. Renowned Pentecostal churches in the region include Christ Embassy (also known as LoveWorld), Deeper Life Bible Church, and Assemblies of God Church.

How Many Local Government Areas?

Since its creation, Akwa Ibom has had 31 Local Government Areas. Below is a list of LGA’s:

LGALGALGA
AbakIkaOnna
Eastern OboloIkonoOron
EketIkot AbasiOruk Anam
Esit-EketIkot EkpeneUkanafun
Essien UdimIniUdung-Uko
Etim-EkpoItuUruan
EtinanMboUrue-Offong/Oruko
IbenoMkpat-EninUyo
Ibesikpo-AsutanNsit-Atai
Ibiono-IbomNsit-Ibom
Nsit-Ubium
Obot-Akara
Okobo

List of all Governors of Akwaibom State

NameTook OfficeLeft OfficeTitle
Tunde Ogbeha28 Sept. 198730 July 1988Admin.
Godwin Abbe31 July 19885 Sept. 1990Admin.
Idongesit Nkanga5 Sept. 19902 Jan. 1992Admin.
Akpan Isemin2 Jan. 199218 Nov. 1993Governor
Yakubu Bako15 Dec. 199321 Aug. 1996Admin.
Joseph Adeusi21 Aug. 19969 Aug. 1998Admin.
John Ebiye9 Aug, 199829 May 1999Admin.
Victor Attah29 May 199929 May 2007Governor
Godswill Akpabio29 May 200729 May 2015Governor
Udom G. Emmanuel29 May 201529 May 2023Governor
Umo Bassey Eno29 May 2023IncumbentGovernor

Who Was the First Governor of Akwa Ibom State?

Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha, The First Governor of Akwa Ibom State

After the establishment of Akwa Ibom State, Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha became the first governor of the state. He took office on September 28, 1987, and left office on July 30, 1988. He wasn’t elected but was appointed as a military governor (administrator) by General Ibrahim Babangida.

Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha was born in Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State, which is his state of origin. He obtained his Senior School Certificate in Kogi State, then proceeded to the Nigerian Military School located in Zaria. He further obtained a diploma from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1970 and also studied at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

In the military, he attained the rank of colonel. Jonathan Ogbeha is known to have played an active role in the coups of both Major-General Muhammadu Buhari in 1983 and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985.

Who Is the Current Governor of Akwa Ibom State?

Umo Bassey Eno, the current Governor of Akwa Ibom State 2023

The current governor of Akwa Ibom State is Umo Bassey Eno of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who assumed office in 2023. He is a pastor and a Nigerian politician. Eno is the Senior Pastor of All Nations Christian Ministry International. He was born on 24th April 1964 and hails from Nsit-Ubium Local Government Area.

Educationally, he holds a BSc in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Uyo. After graduating, he worked at several organizations, including in the banking sector, before serving as the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in Akwa Ibom State in 2021. He resigned from this position in 2022 to contest the governorship election under the PDP, which he won.

Who Is the Current Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State?

Akon Etim Eyakeny, The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State 2023

Akon Etim Eyakenyi, who ran alongside Umo Eno, is the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State. She is the second female Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom after Valerie Ebe, who left office in 2023.

Akon Etim Eyakenyi was born in 1960. After completing her secondary education, she obtained a Teacher Grade II Certificate from the Oron Methodist Teachers’ Training College in 1979. She also earned a National Certificate in Education (NCE) and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in Philosophy.

Her educational achievements paved the way for her success in Nigerian politics. In 2019, she represented Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the Senate. During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, she served as the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. On May 29, 2023, she assumed office as the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

A Breif History Of The State

In pre-colonial times, the land that is now Akwa Ibom State was divided into city-states such as Ibom Kingdom and Akwa Akpa (in 1894, Akwa Akpa was incorporated into the British Protectorate, forming part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate). There was no centralized government; instead, each clan was ruled by a king.

Although missionaries settled in Calabar and Ibono between 1848 and 1887, the British government did not exert authority over the region until 1904, when they formed the Enyong Division, which merged what is now Akwa Ibom with the Annang-speaking people of Ikot Ekpene. Toward the southeast, a significant number of Igbo people dominated the area. However, the formation of Enyong helped promote unity among the various ethnic groups, leading to the establishment of the Ibibio Welfare Union, later renamed the Ibibio State Union. The union aimed to promote local development and advocate for the inclusion of educated Africans, who were excluded by the British colonial administration.

After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, Akwa Ibom, which was part of the Eastern Region, became part of the South-Eastern State in 1967, following the split of the Eastern Region. Shortly after the split, the Igbo-majority eastern region attempted to secede as the state of Biafra, leading to the three-year Nigerian Civil War. During the war, Akwa Ibom land was a contested area, and the people of Akwa Ibom were mistreated by Biafran soldiers as they were not considered part of the Igbo ethnic group. After the war, efforts were made to reunify Nigeria, and the South-Eastern State was restructured before the creation of Cross River State in 1976.

One decade later, during the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida, Cross River State was split on September 23, 1987, leading to the creation of the present-day Akwa Ibom State

Higher Institutions

For those interested in continuing their education, there are many higher institutions in Akwa Ibom State, including colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities. These institutions are located across different areas and are easily accessible to aspiring students. Here’s a glance at some of them:

Institution NameLocationTypeTop Courses Offered / Remarks
Foundation College of TechnologyIkot EkpenePrivateOffers engineering, management, and science courses
Maritime Academy of NigeriaOronFederalOffers nautical sciences, marine engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, and maritime transport
Akwa Ibom State PolytechnicIkot OsuruaStateOffers civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, business administration, banking and finance, building technology, statistics, and more
Federal PolytechnicUkanaFederalProvides polytechnic education
Heritage PolytechnicEketPrivateKnown for diverse programs
Akwa Ibom State UniversityOruk Anam LGA and Mkpat Enin LGAStateOffers agricultural sciences, English, philosophy, performing arts, accounting, political science, sociology, and more
University of UyoUyoFederalOffers law, engineering, medicine, surgery, pharmacy, computing, and educational courses
Ritman UniversityIkot EkpenePrivateOffers mass communication, biochemistry, cybersecurity, computer science, history and international studies, economics, and more
Obong UniversityObong NtakPrivateOffers accounting, business administration, English language, Christian religion, biochemistry, and computer science

Means of Transportation

If you plan to visit Akwa Ibom, understanding the available transportation options is essential. Travelers can reach Akwa Ibom by road or air. From northern or western Nigeria, you can use the federal highway via Aba, Abia State, connecting Uyo to Oron. Visitors from Cross River State can access Akwa Ibom using the Ikot Ekpene-Calabar road. For a faster alternative, air transport is available through Victor Attah International Airport. Established in 2009, this airport is 24 kilometers south of Uyo and serves Lagos and Abuja.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

1. When Was Akwa Ibom State Created? The state was created on September 23, 1987, from the former Cross River State.

2. Who Created Akwa Ibom State? General Ibrahim Babangida created Akwa Ibom State during his military rule.

3. How Many Local Government Areas Are in Akwa Ibom State? The state is currently divided into 31 local government areas, each with its administrative chairman.

4. How Many Villages Are in Akwa Ibom State? Akwa Ibom State has over 1,000 villages, but no valid source provides an exact number.

See also:

List of Akwa ibom areas postal codes

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