Akwa Ibom State Executive Council during it’s regular meeting on October 13, 2025 presided over by Governor Umo Eno, among major resolutions approved a special committee to review and restructure ministerial responsibilities of government.
The move is aimed at resolving overlapping among ministries, departments, and agencies, and ensuring effective governance.
The committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, includes; the Head of the Civil Service, Attorney General, Solicitor General, the Executive Assistant to the Governor, and the Managing Director of relevant agencies.
The committee is expected to complete its assignment and submit report within six weeks.
The Council also approved the establishment of the Office of Public Defender under the Ministry of Justice.
This initiative is targeted at providing free legal representation to indigent residents, ensuring fair legal treatment, reducing the number of suspects detained without trial, and protecting the rights of vulnerable persons.
It is also intended to help promote public understanding of citizens’ legal rights and responsibilities, as part of key policies and reforms aimed at accelerating the implementation of administration’s agenda across the various sectors of the state’s economy.
In furtherance of the ongoing State of Emergency in the health sector, the Council reviewed the report of the inter-ministerial committee and approved timelines for rollout of key interventions to include; recruitment of additional doctors and medical personnel.
Others are; implementation of a revised allowance structure for health workers, and the introduction of “Skipping Policy” in the health sector.
The Council also approved evaluation and completion of bills of quantities for the first phase of rehabilitation of selected hospitals and primary healthcare facilities, as work is expected to begin in these facilities by 1st November
As part of its comprehensive health sector response, the state will hold a stakeholders’ dialogue on November 8 and 9 with the approval of medical residency training fund, subject to necessary agreements.
In the education sector, the Council approved the upgrading of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to a full-fledged university.
The institution will now be known as the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, subject to formal regulatory approvals. This move is in line with the ARISE Agenda’s focus on human capital development and the need to improve the standard of teacher education in the state.
Council also considered and ratified several reports and memos, including those from the Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC) on ongoing projects within the state.
Governor Eno, charged council members to remain dedicated to core values of service delivery, collaborative governance, and urged them to stay committed to the set timelines and objectives in the development of Akwa Ibom State.
