President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has concluded a landmark official working visit to Akwa Ibom State, where he joined the Executive Governor of the state, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, to commission a multi-billion-naira portfolio of strategic capital projects, highlighted by the official federal approval of the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project that is expected to transform the maritime economy of the South-South region.
The presidential visit, which was described by many as historic, remarkable and highly impactful, underscored a robust framework of collaborative governance, synergy and partnership between the federal government and sub-national administrations aimed at bridging critical infrastructural gaps, accelerating industrialization and driving sustainable economic transformation across the Gulf of Guinea and the entire West African sub-region.
The presidential delegation arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to a rousing, enthusiastic and carnival-like welcome from thousands of residents, traditional rulers, political stakeholders, public servants, women groups and youth organizations, following a state-wide work-free day declared by Governor Umo Eno to enable Akwa Ibom people to come out en masse to receive the President.
Ceremonial proceedings and official functions commenced at the Victor Attah International Airport complex, where President Tinubu was received by Governor Umo Eno, members of the State Executive Council, members of the National Assembly from the state and other top government officials, before proceeding to cut the ribbon for the inauguration of completed flagship projects executed by the current administration.
The visit reached a major milestone and climax when President Tinubu officially announced the approval of the multi-billion-dollar Ibom Deep Seaport project, a development that has been on the drawing board for over two decades, capping off leadership talks centered on bipartisanship, regional integration, national unity and sustainable national development for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended Governor Umo Eno for his visionary leadership, purposeful governance and commitment to continuity, describing what he witnessed in Akwa Ibom as a masterclass in governance, continuity and vision that should be emulated by other states of the federation.
President Tinubu said, “What we are witnessing in Akwa Ibom today is a masterclass in governance, continuity, and vision. Infrastructure of this caliber doesn’t just connect roads or land flights; it connects people, unleashes industrial potential, and positions Nigeria as an unassailable hub for West African aviation and commerce and maritime trade.”
According to the President, the projects commissioned in Akwa Ibom are not just physical structures but strategic economic assets that will create jobs, generate revenue, attract foreign direct investment and position Nigeria as a competitive destination for aviation, maritime, logistics and tourism businesses in Africa and beyond.
Also speaking during the event, Governor Pastor Umo Eno expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for finding time to visit Akwa Ibom State and for granting federal approval for the Ibom Deep Seaport, describing the President’s visit and approval as a clear demonstration of federal support, bipartisanship and love for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Umo Eno said, “Our state stands ready to serve as an economic anchor for the nation. Every project commissioned today has been designed to generate revenue, create sustainable employment for our youth, and ensure absolute safety across our land and maritime domains for the prosperity of our people and the nation.”
The Governor noted that all the projects commissioned were carefully designed and executed under his ARISE Agenda to address critical infrastructural needs, stimulate economic growth, enhance security, promote digital governance and position Akwa Ibom as the preferred destination for investment, tourism and industrialization in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
A total of eight flagship capital projects were officially commissioned during yesterday’s presidential visit, alongside the landmark federal approval granted for the Ibom Deep Seaport, which is expected to be the deepest seaport in West Africa with capacity to handle very large vessels and serve as a transshipment hub for the region.
The first and most significant is the Ibom Deep Seaport, which falls under maritime and trade, and was newly approved by President Tinubu during the visit. The multi-billion-dollar project is designed to serve as a deep-draught transshipment hub, boosting maritime trade, unlocking the region’s vast coastline, decongesting Lagos ports and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs for citizens.
Among the projects commissioned is the Victor Attah International Airport Terminal, which falls under aviation and logistics. It is a fully automated smart terminal designed to handle over 1.5 million passengers annually with digital check-in, international processing, world-class safety systems and modern facilities, establishing Uyo as a regional aviation hub and gateway to West Africa.
Also commissioned is the Airport Medical Centre, which is under healthcare and emergency response. The facility provides 24/7 specialized emergency response, general medical care, aviation medicine and public health services for airport operations, air travelers, airline staff and surrounding local communities, ensuring safety and quick response to medical emergencies.
The Ibom Aviation Village, which is under aerospace industry development, was also commissioned. It serves as a residential, commercial and technical service hub supporting aircraft maintenance engineers, flight crews, aviation administration personnel and investors in the aviation value chain, providing housing, offices and technical support services.
The Ring Road 3 – Phase II project, which is under urban transport and road infrastructure, was also commissioned. It is an urban arterial bypass engineered to relieve city-center traffic congestion, improve heavy freight corridors, reduce travel time and link primary commercial districts, residential areas and industrial zones around Uyo metropolis and its environs.
Another critical project commissioned is the Airport-Okopedi Dual Carriage Road, which falls under inter-local transit. It is a strategic dualization project that expands regional access between the international airport, Okopedi and neighbouring agricultural production zones, facilitating movement of farm produce, goods and people and boosting rural economy and food security.
The AKWA-GIS Centre, which is under digital governance and land administration, was also commissioned. It is a state-of-the-art Geographic Information System headquarters for automated land administration, digital surveying, cadastral mapping and optimized property tax asset mapping, aimed at eliminating land disputes, improving revenue generation and promoting transparency.
The Security Command and Control Centre, which is under public safety and security, was also inaugurated. It is an integrated surveillance and rapid-response operations facility linked to state-wide CCTV monitoring, emergency dispatches, drone surveillance and inter-agency intelligence sharing, aimed at ensuring absolute safety of lives and property across the state.
The last project commissioned is the ARISE Palm Resort, which falls under tourism and hospitality. It is a world-class eco-tourism destination offering luxury accommodation, conference centres, recreational amenities, golf course and natural attractions to drive business travel, leisure tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, MICE, and create jobs for the youth.
In summary, yesterday’s high-profile presidential visit to Akwa Ibom State successfully delivered eight completed infrastructure assets and secured the vital federal approval for the Ibom Deep Seaport. Hailed by President Tinubu as a model of developmental vision and purposeful governance, these initiatives under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda are set to position Akwa Ibom as an industrial powerhouse, expand regional trade, and generate lasting economic opportunities for citizens and the entire country.
