President Bola Tinubu has approved the proposed Ibom Deep-Sea Port and the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport in Akwa Ibom State to full international status.
The President announced the approvals on Friday while addressing residents at a rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Tinubu said the decision followed a request by Governor Umo Eno, describing the proposed deep-sea port as a major economic investment capable of driving development in the state and the wider South-South region.
“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 approval comes after Eno pledged that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved and facilitated the port project.
The governor had described the proposed facility as a strategic infrastructure project capable of unlocking the economic potential of Akwa Ibom, the South-South region and Nigeria at large.
Tinubu had made a similar commitment during his 2023 presidential campaign rally in Uyo, promising to establish a deep-sea port in the state. He had cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as a model for the proposed project.
The President also confirmed approval of the request to upgrade Victor Attah International Airport to international airport status, a move expected to strengthen the state’s aviation infrastructure and improve connectivity.
He further pledged his administration’s support for investments in education, skills development, job creation and economic growth, stressing the need to create sustainable opportunities for the people.
Tinubu particularly highlighted the economic prospects of palm produce, arguing that Akwa Ibom could generate more wealth through the cultivation and processing of palm products.
“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,” he said.
He maintained that development must be inclusive and translate into tangible economic benefits for residents, adding that the proposed port would create economic value and stimulate growth.
The President also urged the people to support Governor Eno’s administration, encouraging them to follow his leadership and heed his guidance.
He called on eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process.
