By Anietie Udobit, Abuja
“On 23 September 1987, Nigeria welcomed a new star to its federal constellation. Akwa Ibom State was born.”
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The Birth of a State
On 23 September 1987, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, then Military Head of State, stood before the nation and announced the creation of two new states. One of them was Akwa Ibom. For the people of Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, Oron, and countless villages, the proclamation was more than lines on a map; it was the fulfillment of decades of agitation and the dawn of self-determination. Church bells rang, masquerades danced, and communities rejoiced in the birth of a state they could finally call their own.
Military Beginnings, Civilian Renewal
The early years were stewarded by military administrators who focused on establishing ministries, staffing civil service structures, and building the foundations of governance.
In 1999, with Nigeria’s return to democracy, Akwa Ibom elected Obong Victor Attah as its first civilian governor. His tenure was marked by strategic planning and the push for resource control.
Successive administrations each left their imprint:
• Godswill Akpabio (2007–2015) launched the “Uncommon Transformation,” redefining infrastructure with highways, schools, and the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, the “Nest of Champions.”
• Udom Emmanuel (2015–2023) pivoted to industrialization, birthing factories, ICT hubs, and in 2019, Ibom Air, Nigeria’s first state-owned airline.
• Pastor Umo Eno, sworn in May 2023, is steering the state towards rural development, entrepreneurial empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Transforming the Skyline
From a provincial capital, Uyo has grown into a modern city dotted with flyovers, hotels, malls and cultural centres. The Victor Attah International Airport now connects Akwa Ibom to national and international destinations, while Ibom Air has become a proud brand across Nigeria.
The Nest of Champions stadium, with a capacity of 30,000, has hosted the Super Eagles, CAF tournaments, and international concerts, putting Akwa Ibom firmly on Africa’s sporting and cultural map.
Culture & Creativity: The Soul of the State
Akwa Ibom is more than roads and airports. It is the rhythm of Ekpo masquerades, the taste of Afang and Ekpang Nkukwo, the energy of gospel choirs, Nollywood actors and comedians who carry Ibibio and Annang expressions into mainstream entertainment.
From the Ibibio Union’s pioneering cultural work to today’s youth entrepreneurs, the state’s creativity has remained its enduring soft power.
Sports, Industry & Human Capital
Beyond elite football, the state has invested in grassroots sports and school competitions, nurturing talent and offering youth pathways into national recognition.
Oil revenue has powered much of the development, but leaders have also turned to diversification — from agriculture to ICT and small-scale manufacturing. Education, scholarships, and healthcare projects continue to expand opportunities for ordinary citizens.
Challenges & Opportunities
At 38, Akwa Ibom has undeniable achievements: a modern capital, iconic projects, rising cultural profile. Yet questions remain: How can oil wealth be managed to reach the grassroots? How can rural communities share in urban prosperity? How can the next generation of Akwa Ibomites find jobs at home rather than migrate away?
A State of Promise
Akwa Ibom is fondly called the Land of Promise. Thirty-eight years on, the promise remains alive — not as a distant dream but as a daily responsibility.
And so, looking back is important, but looking forward is greater.
From the struggles of marginalization to the joy of creation, from humble beginnings to towering infrastructure, from hidden identity to national recognition — the journey has been one of resilience and pride.
Today, we celebrate not just a date but a people. We celebrate the farmers, teachers, traders, leaders, artists, workers, and youth who have carried Akwa Ibom forward. We celebrate unity, culture, and progress.
At 38, Akwa Ibom is still young, still rising, still full of promise. The story continues — and every citizen is a storyteller, every community a chapter, every dream a seed for tomorrow.
What should Akwa Ibom look like in the next 38 years?
The vision must include diversified industries, world-class schools, healthcare that rivals the best, digital innovation hubs, and tourism that attracts the world. The next generation deserves a state where oil is not the only story, where every child has equal opportunity, and where unity remains strong.
The next 38 years will not be built by government alone, but by citizens who take ownership of their future. Every Akwa Ibomite — at home and abroad — has a role to play.
As the drums beat today, the cake cut, and the green-orange-blue flags wave, one truth endures: the creation of a state was just Act One. The real story lies in the hands of its people — farmers and fishers, teachers and entrepreneurs, artists and athletes — who must write Act Two with vision, courage, and unity.
Happy 38th Anniversary, Akwa Ibom — the story continues.
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