The Akwa Ibom State Government’s economic blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, has created more than 30,000 direct jobs and reached over 800,000 beneficiaries within two years, according to an official impact report presented in Uyo.
The report, titled *Measuring Progress, Deepening Impact*, was delivered by Prof. Christopher Ekong at the Government House Banquet Hall. The ARISE Agenda is structured around five pillars: agricultural development, tourism and environmental management, rural development, women and youth empowerment, infrastructure and security, and economic, industrial, and social advancement.
According to the findings, N10 billion in grants has been disbursed to farmers, traders, and small and medium enterprises. In agriculture, 2,323 farmers received grants, 40,900 received farm inputs, and 1,047 new jobs were created. The tourism sector recorded 5,670 jobs from the “Christmas Unplugged” event alone, with an additional 2,145 jobs from projects such as the ARISE Resort and an amphitheatre at Unity Park.
In infrastructure and social services, 105 road projects were executed, alongside projects in healthcare, elder care, education, and rural development, generating 19,593 jobs.
Governor Umo Eno, speaking at the event, described the review as a “first-half” performance assessment aimed at transparency and accountability. He listed other government achievements, including construction of 205 ARISE Compassionate Homes, with a target of 400; payment of N78 billion in gratuity arrears dating back to 2012, purchase of two CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft and two Airbus 200-300 aircraft for Ibom Air; completion of the Victor Attah International Airport terminal; and expansion of free medical services through the ARISE Medical Insurance scheme.
The governor stated that over 50 new projects are ongoing, all funded without bank borrowing. He also cited strategic investments in tourism, digital, and blue economies, including converting an erosion site into the ARISE Resort.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended the initiative and urged further efforts. Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo described the governor’s leadership as inclusive.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, represented by Prof. Abba Gambo, said Akwa Ibom ranked first in the forum’s state-by-state analysis. He presented Governor Eno with an award as “Governor of the Year 2025.”
The Statistician-General’s office pledged to work with the state to validate its reported data. Expert panellists, including Prof. Akpan Ekpo, Nancy Illoh, Terry Ikumi, and Dr. Reuben Abati, offered recommendations for improvement.
The event also featured presentations on upcoming projects and the state’s investment outlook, and concluded with the formal presentation of the award from the Governors’ Forum.
