RismadarVoice Reporters, July 28, 2026
Akwa Ibom State Executive Council has approved the release of ₦31 billion for a statewide economic empowerment programme expected to benefit 165,912 residents, while also endorsing far-reaching reforms in the health sector, including plans to recruit more medical doctors and transmit nine executive health bills to the State House of Assembly.
The decisions were among major resolutions reached at the Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno on Monday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the ₦31 billion intervention, already captured in the 2026 budget, will provide ₦1 billion to each of the 31 local government areas for youth and women empowerment, agricultural support, business grants, transport empowerment and small business development.
He said the programme would cover youth skills acquisition and starter packs, cooperative support for women, grants for traders, farm inputs for farmers, SME development and the distribution of productive assets, including tricycles.
Council constituted a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government to develop implementation guidelines and ensure transparent distribution of the intervention.
In the health sector, the Council approved the transmission of nine executive bills to the House of Assembly aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, public health security, health insurance, medical residency training, drug management and the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital.
The Council also directed that emergency measures be adopted to accelerate the recruitment of additional medical doctors to address manpower shortages in state health facilities.
Government further noted that more than 2,854 health workers have been recruited, 29 model primary healthcare centres completed, 17 additional centres are being upgraded, while four secondary healthcare facilities are undergoing rehabilitation.
The Council also acknowledged the acquisition of three CT scan machines, with three more expected, alongside two MRI machines to improve specialised healthcare services.
On infrastructure, the Executive Council reviewed preparations for President Bola Tinubu’s expected visit to Akwa Ibom and the planned commissioning of 39 completed projects to mark the state’s 39th anniversary.
Among the projects listed for commissioning are the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport, Airport Hospital, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, Command and Control Centre, AkwaGIS, the State Secretariat Annex, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road and the dualised Ring Road Three.
Council also received a report indicating that all 12 Executive Bills earlier transmitted to the House of Assembly had been passed, paving the way for their signing into law.
The Executive Council equally approved the hosting of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, fixed December 18 for the Annual Christmas Carol Festival, and directed organisers of Christmas Unplugged 4.0 to showcase the state’s rich cultural and culinary heritage.
The Council further endorsed a proposal for the phased implementation of solar-powered rural water schemes across the state’s 369 wards to improve access to potable water.
Governor Eno also used the meeting to formally inaugurate the new State Statistician-General, Mr Uduak Isaac, charging him to coordinate the state’s statistical system and produce regular development reports to support evidence-based planning.
