Martha Udom
Saturday, November 7, 2026
UYO — President Bola Tinubu has approved the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State, following a request by Governor Umo Eno during a political rally in Uyo on Friday.
Tinubu announced the approval at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, where he said the project would generate economic value and promote development in the state and the South-South region.
“Will you vote? Okay, it’s approved. It’s approved. Ibom’s deep seaport will bring associated economic value and economic development,” the President said.
The announcement followed Eno’s appeal for Federal Government support for the long-awaited project. The governor had pledged that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the seaport was approved and delivered.
Tinubu had also promised to support the project during his 2023 presidential campaign rally at the same stadium. However, no funding arrangement or construction timeline was announced following Friday’s declaration.
The President also said he had approved the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport to international standards. However, the airport had already been designated an international airport before his visit, with Ibom Air reportedly operating its first international flight from Uyo to Accra in May 2026.
Tinubu made the announcements during a visit to Akwa Ibom, which he described as a homecoming, recalling his previous work in the state as an auditor with Mobil.
He said he had been involved in activities that contributed to the development of Ibeno and Eket before becoming President.
“This is a homecoming for me. I was here in Akwa Ibom as a Mobil auditor. We built Ibeno, developed Eket, and did what we had to do. I never dreamed that I would become president to commission an airport named after my then-colleague governor, Victor Attah,” he said.
During the visit, the President commissioned the new International Terminal Building at Victor Attah International Airport, Ring Road 3 and the Arise Palm Resort, among other projects. Other projects scheduled for inauguration included the International Airport Hospital, Ibom Aviation Village, Airport-Okopedi Road, AKWA-GIS Office Complex and the Command and Control Centre.
Tinubu praised Governor Eno for his commitment to infrastructure development and human capital investment, describing him as a leader whose administration had demonstrated vision and determination.
The President arrived in Akwa Ibom dressed in traditional attire associated with the state. He was received by Governor Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other political leaders and dignitaries.
At the rally, Tinubu urged residents to support his administration and Eno, arguing that continuity in leadership was necessary to sustain development.
He also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), questioning their leadership abilities and promising a better future for Nigerians.
His remarks came a day after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate. The party subsequently filed an appeal and applied for a stay of execution.
An INEC official said the commission had not received a Certified True Copy of the judgment and had not taken any decision on the matter. Atiku’s name was still listed on the commission’s portal as the ADC’s presidential candidate as of Friday.
Governor Eno had earlier declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents to participate in the President’s reception. The visit came amid preparations for the 2027 general elections and followed Eno’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in June 2025.
The visit was also marked by a road accident involving an Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation bus conveying women to welcome the President. The accident occurred along Airport Road in Uyo when the bus reportedly collided with a security Hilux van.
An eyewitness said one person was feared dead, while several others sustained serious injuries. Both vehicles were reportedly badly damaged.
An official of the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the accident and said a response team had been deployed to the scene. However, the Corps had not confirmed any fatality or provided a full account of the casualties as of the time of reporting.
Tinubu was scheduled to travel to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday to attend an All Progressives Congress rally.
