Umo Eno’s Tourism Drive: How Akwa Ibom Is Building Nigeria’s Next Tourism Hub
By Yahaya Idris
Akwa Ibom State is intensifying efforts to transform its tourism and hospitality sector as Governor Umo Eno’s administration seeks to position the state as one of Nigeria’s leading destinations for leisure, conferences, culture, entertainment and business.
The administration’s tourism strategy is anchored on infrastructure development, improved air connectivity, cultural promotion, private-sector partnerships and enhanced security.
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Speaking during an interaction with selected journalists in Abuja, the Special Assistant to Governor Eno on New Media, Venerable Richard Peters, highlighted the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, tourism and economic development.
For a state whose economy and public image have long been associated with crude oil, the government is increasingly presenting tourism as an important component of its economic diversification agenda.
*Uyo at the Centre of Tourism Plan*
At the centre of the strategy is the Uyo City Tourism Ecosystem, designed to bring hospitality, conferences, shopping, entertainment and leisure attractions into an integrated tourism economy.
Several major projects are being revived or developed to support the initiative.
The 5,000-capacity Ibom International Convention Centre and adjoining 200-room Ibom Hotel are undergoing reconstruction, while the ARISE Resort is being developed with a nine-hole golf course, artificial lakes, playgrounds, luxury chalets and a banquet hall.
The ARISE Shopping City and Amusement Park are also expected to strengthen Uyo’s retail and entertainment capacity.
Another major project is the rehabilitation of the Ibom Icon Hotel & Golf Resort, involving the renovation of 163 rooms and seven chalets, as well as improvements to power, lighting and cooling systems.
Governor Eno has repeatedly identified tourism as a key component of his ARISE Agenda and a pathway towards preparing the state for a post-oil economy.
“We are gathered here in our determined effort to position Akwa Ibom State as the tourism hub of Nigeria,” the governor said.
*Private Sector Partnerships*
The state government is also seeking professional expertise to ensure that tourism infrastructure translates into commercially viable businesses.
A management agreement with Aleph Hospitality is expected to strengthen the management of facilities including Ibom Icon Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton, ARISE Park and the Convention Centre.
The government’s partnership with the United Nations Development Programme is focused on areas including tourism, the blue economy, skills and innovation.
Engagement with MTN is also expected to support sports tourism through events such as MTN Champs.
The objective, according to the administration, is to develop a sustainable tourism ecosystem capable of attracting visitors, investors and major events rather than merely constructing facilities.
*Aviation Strengthens Tourism*
Air connectivity is another key pillar of the plan.
Victor Attah International Airport has undergone upgrades and now accommodates international flights from Accra, Ghana, while Ibom Air continues to provide domestic connections between Akwa Ibom and other Nigerian cities.
The establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development further underscores the importance the administration places on connectivity.
“We cannot succeed in tourism without a functional airport,” Governor Eno has stated.
*Culture as a Tourism Asset*
The government is also seeking to turn Akwa Ibom’s rich cultural heritage into an economic asset.
At the 2026 World Heritage Day celebration in Uyo, themed “Akwa Ibom Heritage Alive,” the state showcased traditional music, folklore, indigenous cuisine and other cultural expressions.
Dishes such as afang, edikang ikong and ekpang nkukwo were among the culinary attractions highlighted.
The annual Yuletide Cultural Festival, organised across the state’s 31 local government areas, also provides a platform for showcasing traditional dances, food and customs.
Governor Eno has inspected attractions including Marina Beach and the State Museum to assess their potential for rehabilitation and further development.
Security and Economic Opportunities
Security remains central to the tourism agenda.
The establishment of the ₦10 billion Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund is part of the government’s broader effort to create a secure environment for residents, tourists and investors.
The emerging tourism economy is expected to create jobs and business opportunities in hospitality, construction, transportation, entertainment and event management.
Chefs, tour guides, housekeepers, drivers, artisans, food suppliers and other service providers could also benefit from increased visitor activity.
Governor Eno has expressed the ambition of making Akwa Ibom “another Kigali” — a destination where business, conferences, leisure, culture and hospitality converge.
If the ongoing projects are completed, professionally managed and effectively marketed, Uyo could emerge as a major tourism and conference destination, helping Akwa Ibom diversify its economy beyond oil.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER 13TH AUGUST, 2026)
