President Bola Tinubu has approved the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State following a request by Governor Umo Eno.
Tinubu announced the approval on Friday while addressing a reception and rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The President, who visited the state to inaugurate projects completed by the Eno administration, said the development must promote inclusive growth, create economic value and improve the lives of the people.
“Now, development must be even inclusive and reasonable, must bring progress and create economic value. I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, request for Ibom’s deep-sea port,” Tinubu said.
After restating the request, the President asked the crowd, “Will you vote?”
He subsequently declared, “Okay, it’s approved.”
The announcement followed a pledge by Eno that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved the seaport project.
The governor described the facility as the most important economic demand of the people of Akwa Ibom, saying it would transform the state’s maritime and industrial sectors while creating employment opportunities.
He also said the people of the state had remained loyal to Tinubu since 2023 and were appealing to him to fulfil his promise to establish the facility.
Tinubu had promised to build the deep seaport during his 2023 presidential campaign rally at the same stadium. At the time, he cited the Lekki Deep Seaport, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as an example of what he hoped to achieve in Akwa Ibom.
Eno explained that the project, initially conceived during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City, had remained unrealised for decades despite featuring in successive presidential campaigns.
