Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno said the era of energy insecurity in the state is over, describing electricity as the single most important driver of the State’s development agenda.
This might not be disconnected from the collapse of national grid that resulted in the megawatt (MW) generated dropping from 2,917.83 (MW) to 1.5 (MW) between 11 am and 12 pm on Wednesday with attendant blackout in Akwa Ibom.
Speaking at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Akwa Ibom State Strategic Roundtable held in Abuja on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 before signing a Memorandum Of Understanding with the agency, Eno said Akwa Ibom is now pivoting from policy formulation to practical implementation and delivery of electricity solutions that will transform lives and power industries.
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“We have moved from aspiration to legal and institutional foundation. Today, we pivot to implementation and delivery,” the excited Governor said.
He explained that the State has, within the past year, delivered the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Policy (2024), enacted the Electricity Law (2025), and established regulatory frameworks for the implementation of the new regime.
Governor Eno stressed that electricity is central to his administration’s economic blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, which focuses on agriculture, industry, schools, hospitals, digital hubs, women-led enterprises, and job creation across the State.
He assured investors that his administration will provide land, expedite permits, ensure regulatory clarity, and facilitate financing to guarantee project success.
“Electricity is the key driver of our purpose to ensure that every Akwa Ibomite, in every corner of this State, can live with dignity and opportunity in the 21st century,” he said, urging RESCOs and private sector investors to move from ideas to concrete projects within 15–18 months.
The Governor added that Akwa Ibom will adopt measures that will leverage the rich natural gas and small hydro resources in the State while creating room for renewable energy, to achieve a sustainable energy transition.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, in her welcome remarks, described the event as a “critical milestone” in the State’s journey to deliver universal electricity access, noting that off-grid deployment is vital to reaching unserved and underserved communities.
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Aliyu Baba, commended Governor Eno’s commitment to rural development, stressing that the ARISE Agenda aligns with the national electrification initiative. He noted that REA will continue to partner with states to attract private sector investors and ensure affordable electricity for rural dwellers.
Commissioner for Power, Rt. Hon. Iniobong Robson Etebe, in his presentation on Renewable Energy Opportunities in the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Market, highlighted investment prospects in solar, hydro, and gas-to-power solutions.
He affirmed that the government has created a conducive environment for investors to thrive, with policies designed to make projects viable and sustainable.
The roundtable also featured an overview of the REA Community Mapping Tool by the Technical Adviser of the Nigerian Electrification Program (NEP) and the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the REA to strengthen collaboration.
Eno was accompanied to the roundtable by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; the Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; as well as the Commissioners for Power, Finance, and Information, and the Special Adviser on Rural Development and Cooperatives.
