AKWA IBOM STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
Land of Promise
Overall pSPI Rank:
21st out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Very Good 3-Star Performer)
People & Culture
Rich State with Strong Traditions
Akwa Ibom, known as the “Land of Promise,” is home to about 7 million people, primarily from the Ibibio, Anaang, and Oron ethnic groups. These groups shape the state’s culture, traditions, and industries. Akwa Ibom’s cultural identity is deeply rooted in its rich traditions, lively festivals, and distinctive cuisine.
The Ekpo and Ekong Festivals showcase traditional masquerades, dance, and music, while the Ekombi Dance, a graceful Ibibio performance, highlights the region’s artistic heritage. The state is also renowned for its delicious cuisine, featuring specialties such as Afang Soup, Edikang Ikong, and Fisherman’s Soup. The Oron also upholds strong seafaring and fishing traditions, reinforcing the state’s coastal heritage.
Akwa Ibom boasts a strong cultural foundation with a land area of 7,081 sq. km and 31 Local Government Areas.
Politics
The Stronghold of Political Loyalty
Akwa Ibom is one of the few states where political loyalty runs deep. Since 1999, the PDP has maintained an unbroken grip, successfully transitioning power between governors without internal implosions. Leaders such as Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio, and Udom Emmanuel built a legacy of party continuity, but the 2023 elections tested this unity.
Amidst fierce intra-party disputes, PDP retained power with Umo Eno as governor, but not without challenges. Akpabio’s defection to APC years earlier disrupted the traditional hierarchy, introducing an opposition force that continues to gain ground. Can PDP maintain its dominance, or will opposition forces finally break its grip?
Akwa Ibom’s politics is one of discipline and controlled transitions, but with the rise of opposition momentum, cracks are forming. The next elections could be a defining moment in whether PDP’s stronghold remains unshaken or faces its greatest threat yet.
Economy - Strong in Oil, Moderate in Internal Revenue Generation
Akwa Ibom State’s economy is powered by its oil and gas wealth, making it a key contributor to Nigeria’s revenue. The state is also expanding into agriculture, maritime trade, and manufacturing, supported by major infrastructure projects like the Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Air. With ongoing diversification efforts, Akwa Ibom is positioning itself as a leading economic hub in the Niger Delta.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦4,827 |  17th |
| IGR Per Km² | ₦4.9 million | 8th |
| IGR To Total Revenue | 8% | 34th |
| IGR To FAAC | 10% | 35th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | ₦68,221 | 4th |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦22,705 | 11th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | 5.72 | 18th |
What this means:
Akwa Ibom ranks very high in capital spending (4th in capital expenditure per capita), showing strong infrastructure investment. However, only 8% of total revenue is generated internally (34th rank), meaning the state is heavily dependent on federal allocations.
pSPI Performance - Solid Infrastructure
Strengths
Top 5 in Capital Expenditure: Reflecting large-scale infrastructure investments
3rd in Asset Per Capita: Suggesting valuable state-owned resources.
3rd in Security Satisfaction: Indicating relatively low crime levels..
1st in Environmental Cleanliness: A wellmaintained state.
..
Weaknesses
Low Revenue Autonomy: IGR accounts for only 8% of total revenue (34th nationally)..
Poor Employment Outlook: Ranked 33rd in job availability.
Low Public Hospital & Healthcare Worker Coverage: Among the lowest in Nigeria
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
What Residents Think About Key Services
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 8th | 62% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 27th | 29% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 3rd | 57% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 4th | 33% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 3rd | 57% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 8th | 33% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 9th | 33% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 33rd | 5% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programs | 1st | 48% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 6th | 33% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 8th | 57% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 3rd | 46% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 1st | 81% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 4th | 52% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 15th | 29% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 10th | 43% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Perceived governance stability and better opportunities
Lagos State
Economic hub, better infrastructure, more jobs
Rivers State
Economic similarity and proximity
Akwa Ibom State (staying put)
Strong home attachment despite economic grievances
Cross River State
Proximity and cultural similarities
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Borno State
Insecurity and terrorism
Zamfara State
Banditry and low development
Rivers State
Perceived insecurity and
cultism
Akwa Ibom State
Some respondents
cited dissatisfaction with governance
Lagos State
Cultural difference and
overpopulation
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The government is partly invisible at the local government level
of residents
cannot name their
local chairman
unaware of any
ongoing LGA
project
unaware of
socioeconomic
programmes by their LG
This highlights poor project transparency and public engagement.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Ikot Ekpene (17%), Uyo (13%), Ikono (13%), Onna (13%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
69 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Employment and Livelihoods: Citizens called on the government to create more jobs through industrial parks, training centres, and digital innovation hubs targeting young people across LGAs.
- Quality and Affordable Public Services:
Many respondents highlighted the need for improved healthcare access and better learning environments in public schools. Suggestions included recruitment of health workers and teachers, provision of equipment, and reduction in out-of-pocket costs.
- Infrastructure Development and Clean Water Access:
Citizens recommended ongoing investments in road infrastructure, electricity, and especially water supply. Calls were made for the completion of stalled projects and prioritisation of rural communities.
- Local Government Effectiveness and Project Visibility:
Respondents expressed limited awareness of LGA-level projects. They urged the state to strengthen local development agencies and improve transparency in resource allocation and implementation.
- Support for Small Businesses and Market Expansion: Citizens encouraged the state to provide financial support, training, and market access to small and medium-scale businesses. Emphasis was placed on women entrepreneurs, artisans, and local producers.
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Akwa Ibom
 Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Akwa Ibom urgently needs to:
Deepen Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Reforms: Despite Akwa Ibom’s resource wealth, its IGR contribution to total revenue remains below optimal. The state should modernise its revenue administration systems, enforce tax compliance, and tap into non-oil sectors such as tourism, services, and technology to expand its fiscal base.
Strengthen Service Delivery in Health and Education: Akwa Ibom performs moderately in health worker and public teacher-to-population ratios. The state should prioritise recruitment, training, and retention of professionals in both sectors, while improving infrastructure and resource allocation to rural areas.
Expand Inclusive Economic Opportunities: There is a need to focus on youth employment, small-scale industrialisation, and agro-processing. The state can scale up technical education, entrepreneurship support, and microfinance schemes to empower its large youth population.
Invest in Infrastructure Maintenance and Urban-Rural Linkages: While the state has made strides in capital expenditure, more attention is needed on rural roads, water systems, and intra-city transportation. A preventive maintenance policy and equitable infrastructure distribution will enhance productivity and inclusion.
Promote Participatory and Transparent Governance: Improved publicity of government policies, responsiveness to citizens’ needs, and local government capacity building will help strengthen trust and accountability. Encouraging feedback mechanisms can further guide people-centred development.
Akwa Ibom State 2025
a well-developed state that must strengthen economic self-sufficiency and job creation.