By Ekaette Okon-Joseph,
Governance thrives when leadership listens. In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has taken a bold step to institutionalize a feedback-driven governance model by launching a series of town hall meetings across the ten federal constituencies. This initiative serves as a strategic needs assessment tool for project implementation, the preparation of the 2026 budget, and as a mechanism for inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Starting with Abak Federal Constituency on March 8, 2025, at the Abak Township Stadium, these meetings will bring government closer to the people, allowing communities to articulate their priorities and influence policy direction.
Subsequent meetings will be held in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Itu/Ibiono, Etinan, Oruk Anam/Ukanafun, Ikono/Ini, Oron, Eket, and Ikot Abasi federal constituencies.
Every constituency will present a NEEDS document, outlining its most pressing infrastructural, economic, and social development concerns.
This town hall engagement is more than just a listening tour—it is a structured governance framework that other states in Nigeria can adopt to foster transparency and citizen participation. In an era where governance must be inclusive and data-driven, this model exemplifies participatory democracy in action.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama once said, “The strongest democracies flourish from frequent and lively debate.” This principle underpins Governor Eno’s administration, ensuring that policymaking is rooted in the real needs of Akwa Ibom people, not assumptions.
Speaking on the Federal Constituency Town Hall initiative, Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, noted that every constituency will present its NEEDS document to the Governor, outlining its priorities. He emphasized that the Governor will hold an interactive session with the people to understand their needs directly and ensure that governance aligns with the aspirations of the citizens.
Beyond policy discussions, the Governor will also commence the disbursement of N2 billion to farmers, another N2 billion to traders, and provide business grants to selected beneficiaries. This initiative aligns with the ARISE Agenda, which prioritizes Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance/Advancement, Security Management, and Educational Advancement.
Umanah stated that the disbursement of N2 billion to farmers will begin in Abak, with funds distributed to farmers in the Federal Constituency. Additionally, business grants of N5 million will be awarded, with two beneficiaries selected per local government area.
This intervention is crucial as agriculture accounted for 24.64 percent of Nigeria’s real GDP in 2024 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and remains the country’s largest employer of labor, yet farmers often struggle with access to capital. By empowering local agripreneurs and small businesses, Akwa Ibom is setting the pace for economic self-sufficiency and food security.
Governor Umo Eno’s administration has made significant progress in transforming the socio-economic landscape of Akwa Ibom State. Under the ARISE Agenda, the government is disbursing over N5.1 billion in grants to farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs, providing a major boost to the local economy.
Electrification projects have been completed in over 50 rural communities, improving access to power in underserved areas. The administration has also undertaken extensive road rehabilitation, with over 300 kilometers of roads reconstructed, enhancing connectivity across the state.
Security has remained a priority, with the establishment of community policing initiatives that have led to a reduction in crime in the state. In the education sector, over 10,000 students have benefited from the Free Education and Scholarship Scheme, a bursary scheme ensuring that more young people have access to quality learning opportunities.
Aniekan Umanah further emphasized the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, citing the Governor’s recent visit to President Bola Tinubu alongside a 104-member delegation. During this visit, the Governor presented his administration’s scorecard, demonstrating how the state’s resources have been judiciously used to provide critical infrastructure in line with the ARISE Agenda. He also seized the opportunity to present requests for the Ibom Deep Seaport project and ecological remediation for the Arise Park and Resort, further positioning the state as an economic powerhouse.
By institutionalizing constituency-based needs assessments, Akwa Ibom is ensuring that governance is not just top-down but bottom-up, allowing for real-time assessment of government commitments. This approach fosters accountability by creating a direct channel for citizens to express their concerns and expectations. It also promotes inclusivity, ensuring that even marginalized communities have a voice in the decision-making process.
Additionally, this model supports sustainability by enabling data-driven budgeting that aligns with local needs, reducing the risk of misallocated resources. The economic impact of this initiative cannot be overstated, as direct financial interventions for farmers, traders, and small businesses will stimulate entrepreneurship, job creation, and overall economic growth.
As Nigeria seeks innovative governance models that bridge the gap between government and citizens, Akwa Ibom’s Town Hall Series stands out as a blueprint for success. Other states should take note—governance should not be a one-way street but a dynamic conversation between the government and the governed.
By March 11, 2025, when full-scale disbursement of support packages across the state commences, the impact of this initiative will be evident—not just in infrastructure but in the lives of the people. Governor Umo Eno has made it clear: No part of Akwa Ibom will be left behind. The ARISE Agenda is not just a policy—it is a movement. And as the town hall meetings unfold, one message resonates—governance is most effective when it listens.
Ekaette Okon-Joseph, Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom state governor on media, writes from Uyo, the state capital.
@highlight
