Tinubu Approves Ibom Deep-Sea Port, Victor Attah Airport Upgrade

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the proposed Ibom Deep-Sea Port and the upgrade of the Victor Attah International Airport in Akwa Ibom State to international airport status, signalling a major boost to the state’s infrastructure and economic development ambitions.

Tinubu announced the approvals on Friday while addressing residents of Akwa Ibom at a rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The approvals followed requests by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, who had pledged that the state would deliver two million votes for the President’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved and facilitated the development of the deep-sea port.

The President’s announcement also represents a fulfilment of a campaign promise he made during the 2023 presidential election campaign, when he pledged to establish a deep-sea port in Akwa Ibom.

At the rally, Tinubu recalled the request made by the state leadership and announced that the proposed port had received presidential approval.

“I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, a request for Ibom’s deep-sea port. Ibom Deep-Sea Port. It’s approved,” the President said.

The proposed port is expected to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position as a major maritime and commercial centre in the South-South region, while potentially creating opportunities for trade, industrialisation, employment and investment.

Tinubu had previously cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos, which was developed during his tenure as governor of the state, as a model for the proposed Akwa Ibom project.

Eno Links Port Approval To 2027 Support

Governor Eno had earlier made a strong case for the deep-sea port, describing it as a transformative infrastructure project capable of unlocking the economic potential of Akwa Ibom and the wider Nigerian economy.

Addressing the President, the governor declared that the state was prepared to deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election if the Federal Government supported the project.

“Give us Ibom Deep Seaport, we will deliver two million votes. This deep seaport is capable of unlocking the economy of the state, the South-South region and Nigeria at large,” Eno said.

The governor’s statement underscored the political significance of the proposed port, which has remained a major development aspiration for the state.

The project is expected to attract substantial investment and create opportunities for businesses across the maritime, manufacturing, logistics, transportation and agricultural sectors.

For Akwa Ibom, the proposed port could provide a platform for expanding its economic base beyond traditional activities, particularly by facilitating exports, encouraging industrial development and strengthening connections with domestic and international markets.

The President’s approval is therefore being viewed as an important milestone in the state’s efforts to secure a more prominent position in Nigeria’s maritime economy.

However, the eventual impact of the project will depend on the implementation process, financing arrangements, construction timelines and supporting infrastructure required to make the port operational.

Victor Attah Airport To Receive International Status

In another major announcement, Tinubu disclosed that he had approved the request to upgrade the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to international airport status.

The proposed upgrade is expected to improve Akwa Ibom’s connectivity with international destinations and strengthen its capacity to attract business travellers, investors and tourists.

An international airport could also complement the proposed deep-sea port by providing improved air connectivity for commercial activities and facilitating the movement of people and goods.

The airport upgrade is particularly significant given the potential relationship between maritime infrastructure, aviation and industrial development.

Together, the port and airport projects could position Akwa Ibom as a strategic destination for investment and economic activity in the South-South region.

The President did not provide further details on the implementation timetable or the specific infrastructure requirements for the airport upgrade during his address.

Tinubu Promises Investment In Jobs, Education

Beyond the major infrastructure announcements, Tinubu pledged that his administration would support Akwa Ibom’s development through investments in education, skills acquisition, employment generation and economic growth.

He said the Federal Government was committed to creating opportunities that would translate into tangible benefits for residents.

The President also emphasised the need to develop the state’s agricultural potential, particularly through the cultivation and processing of palm produce.

According to him, Akwa Ibom possesses the natural resources and economic opportunities necessary to develop a thriving palm-based industry.

“There is no reason why Akwa Ibom cannot use the value of palm trees and the palms here. There is no reason that we cannot create skills, developmental skills, that are enduring and everlasting,” Tinubu said.

The emphasis on palm produce reflects the administration’s broader interest in promoting value addition, agricultural processing and economic diversification.

Rather than relying solely on the production of agricultural commodities, the development of processing industries could enable the state to capture more value from its resources, generate employment and support local businesses.

Palm oil and other palm-derived products have potential applications in food processing, manufacturing and other industrial activities.

Tinubu said development must be inclusive and capable of delivering economic value to ordinary citizens.

He maintained that infrastructure and economic investments should translate into opportunities for the people, rather than remain isolated projects without wider benefits.

Infrastructure And Economic Diversification

The proposed Ibom Deep-Sea Port and the airport upgrade are expected to complement Akwa Ibom’s broader development strategy.

The state’s location along Nigeria’s coastline gives it potential advantages in maritime transportation, logistics and international trade.

A deep-sea port could support the movement of large vessels, facilitate cargo handling and provide a gateway for businesses seeking access to regional and global markets.

If successfully developed, it could also stimulate the establishment of industrial clusters, warehouses, processing facilities and other businesses around the port.

The economic benefits could extend beyond Akwa Ibom to neighbouring states and other parts of the South-South and South-East regions.

For businesses, improved maritime infrastructure could offer additional options for transporting goods and accessing export markets.

The proposed airport upgrade could further support these activities by improving passenger connectivity and facilitating business travel.

Nevertheless, the success of the projects would depend on effective planning, adequate funding, transparent procurement, environmental considerations and coordination between federal and state authorities.

The availability of roads, power, logistics facilities and other supporting infrastructure would also be critical to maximising their economic impact.

President Urges Residents To Support Eno

During his address, Tinubu urged residents of Akwa Ibom to support Governor Eno and cooperate with his administration.

The President encouraged the people to follow the governor’s leadership and heed his guidance, stressing the importance of cooperation in achieving development objectives.

He also called on eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the electoral process.

The rally formed part of the President’s political engagements ahead of the 2027 general election, during which he is seeking a second term in office.

The approvals announced in Uyo are likely to feature prominently in discussions about the relationship between federal infrastructure commitments and political support ahead of the election.

For Akwa Ibom residents, the immediate expectation will be that the presidential approvals translate into concrete implementation steps, including project planning, funding, construction and eventual delivery.

The deep-sea port and airport upgrade, if realised, could become major landmarks in the state’s economic development, with implications for employment, trade, investment and regional connectivity.

The challenge now lies in ensuring that the approvals move beyond political announcements to become operational infrastructure capable of delivering lasting benefits to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.