From Roads To Sports: How Akwa Ibom Says Eno’s Administration Is Expanding Infrastructure & Youth Investment

By BASSEY BENSON

THE Akwa Ibom State Government says it has spent ₦879.22 billion on road infrastructure since Governor Umo Eno assumed office, while also expanding investment in sports, athlete development and youth empowerment.

The figures were presented on Thursday 17 September 2026, during a Ministerial Media Briefing at Akpan Isemin Hall, Government House, Uyo.

The briefing covered the Ministries of Works and Fire Service and Sports Development. It formed part of the state government’s periodic engagement with journalists on its policies, projects and programmes.

Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the administration organised the briefing to account for its activities and provide information that would help citizens assess government performance.

He also urged journalists to scrutinise official figures, verify claims and provide accurate information to the public.

₦879.22bn Committed to Roads

Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, said the government had undertaken 1,159.6 kilometres of roads through the state’s FGPC and direct-labour programmes.

He added that 43 Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) projects, supported by the World Bank and state counterpart funding, covered about 382.83 kilometres.

According to Ibanga, the state government spent ₦879.22 billion on road infrastructure since the administration began. The figure excludes RAMP expenditure.

Of the total, he said ₦747.51 billion went into projects initiated by the current administration.

That spending comprised ₦615.65 billion on FGPC projects and ₦131.86 billion on emergency projects. Another ₦131.71 billion went into inherited projects.

The commissioner said the administration inherited 105 projects that it subsequently funded. They included 47 FGPC projects, 51 direct-labour projects and seven erosion-control, electrification and other interventions.

So far, 57 of those inherited projects have been completed, while 15 have been commissioned.

New Roads & Maintenance

The government has also initiated 129 projects under the current administration.

Ibanga said 67 are FGPC projects, 47 are direct-labour projects and 15 fall under other interventions. Of these, 26 have been completed and 20 commissioned.

Road maintenance has also featured prominently.

The commissioner said workers had treated 123 potholes and failed-road locations through patching and overlays. Extensive maintenance work also took place at several locations across Uyo metropolis.

The administration, he added, plans to provide at least 10 kilometres of roads in every local government area.

Among projects awarded in 2026 are the Ibom Deep Seaport access road, International Market internal roads, Ikot Ekpene-Ikot Ibritam Road, Ikot Ekpene internal roads and Industrial Park internal roads.

Other projects include internal roads in Shelter Afrique, Ndon Eyo-Ikot Akpan Abia-Ikot Nkwo Road, Nsit Atai-Nsit Ibom roads and internal roads in Inen Ekpene.

Ibanga also linked the ARISE Palm Resort development to erosion-remediation work around Udo Udoma and Dominic Utuk.

Government Links Roads to Economic Activity

According to the commissioner, the road projects have reduced travel times and opened alternative routes for commuters.

He said improved connectivity had also contributed to higher property values, increased rural economic activity and job creation.

The government also relocated power infrastructure in several locations to create rights-of-way for road construction.

Meanwhile, the ministry has started replacing diesel-powered streetlights with solar systems.

Ibanga said 6,386 of the 6,441 streetlights under Phases 1 and 2 had been installed in Uyo. That represents about 95 per cent completion.

The transition has also reduced diesel consumption for street lighting.

According to the commissioner, monthly consumption fell from about 150,000 litres to below 32,000 litres. At a diesel price of ₦2,000 per litre, the former consumption level represented roughly ₦300 million in monthly expenditure.

The ministry also installed a 1.1MVA generator and built a 1,500KVA dedicated substation at the Idongesit Nkanga State Secretariat Annex to connect the facility to the national grid.

Sports Ministry Targets Grassroots Talent

The media briefing also highlighted the state’s expanding sports programme.

Commissioner for Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey, said the government established the ministry as a standalone ministry on September 19, 2023, after separating it from the former Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.

He said the ministry’s mandate extends beyond competitions. It includes discovering and developing grassroots talent, creating opportunities for young people and using sports to support human-capital development, tourism, employment and economic diversification.

The ministry inherited about 110 staff, 18 coaches and 28 ad-hoc coaches.

It also inherited more than 128 non-staff personnel, including 103 performing athletes and 24 labour hands.

Since then, the ministry has hosted the 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, Judiciary Games and Niger Delta Games.

It also participated in the 2025 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, procured sporting equipment and established a database for tracking athletes’ performances and timings.

Akwa Ibom Records Stronger National Sports Showing

Bassey said Akwa Ibom competed in 22 sports at the 2025 National Sports Festival and finished ninth among states.

He described the result as the state’s best performance in a long period.

Akwa Ibom also hosted the National Youth Games zonal elimination for team sports and the MTN Making of Champions competition.

Through the latter programme, at least 10 athletes secured scholarships and training opportunities at the Making of Champions Academy in Lagos.

The government has also continued maintaining the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, the state’s major CAF- and FIFA-standard sporting facility.

The stadium won Football Pitch of the Year at the Pitch Awards in 2024 and 2025. Governor Eno also received the Football-Loving Governor of the Year award.

With support from Julius Berger, the government constructed a gymnasium at the stadium.

Rewards for Athletes

The administration has introduced financial incentives for athletes.

Bassey said Governor Eno approved monthly allowances for performing athletes and financial rewards for medal winners.

At the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Team Akwa Ibom won 11 gold, nine silver and 10 bronze medals.

The state approved rewards of ₦500,000 for gold medallists, ₦250,000 for silver medallists and ₦150,000 for bronze medallists.

Three Akwa Ibom athletes who won medals while representing Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games also received approval for automatic employment.

ARISE Sports Academy Planned for Eket

The state has also approved the construction of an ARISE Sports Academy in Eket.

The project will begin with perimeter fencing and a gatehouse.

Bassey said the academy would initially concentrate on sports in which Akwa Ibom has demonstrated strength. However, the wider strategy would cover athletes, coaches, schools and clubs.

It would also encompass sports medicine, physiotherapy, analytics, player management, sponsorship, broadcasting and merchandising.

Governor Eno has further directed the ministry to explore the revival of inter-school and inter-house sports as a pathway for identifying young talent.

The commissioner also called for stronger private-sector participation.

He specifically identified sports beyond football, including chess, boxing, swimming, wrestling, weightlifting, athletics, judo and karate.

Government Promises Continued Engagement

At the close of the briefing, NUJ Chairman Comrade Nsibiet John commended the state government for sustaining its engagement with the media.

He also praised journalists for raising issues that reflect citizens’ concerns.

John said the briefing had provided journalists with more information to communicate government programmes to the public.

He pledged continued effective use of the information while urging the government to do more to improve the welfare and development of Akwa Ibom residents.