11/06/2026
850,000 Empowered, 30,000 Jobs Created: Pastor Umo Eno’s ARISE Record in Just Three Years
By Joy Udofia, Assistant Governor
In just three years of purposeful leadership, Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno has redefined governance in Akwa Ibom State through the ARISE Agenda—a people-focused blueprint anchored on Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance, Security Management, and Economic Advancement. Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, the Governor has turned policy into productivity, creating jobs, empowering citizens, and building a sustainable economy rooted in fairness, transparency, and opportunity.
According to the Mid-Term Impact Report presented in August 2025 by Prof. Christopher Ekong of the University of Uyo, the ARISE Agenda has created over 30,000 direct jobs and impacted more than 800,000 citizens through empowerment and development programs. Over ₦10 billion has been disbursed in grants to farmers, traders, artisans, and small business owners, while thousands more have benefited from training, recruitment, and enterprise support initiatives.
The agricultural sector remains the foundation of this transformation. More than 2,300 farmers have received direct grants, 40,900 benefited from farm inputs, and 25,060 accessed agricultural processing machines. With ₦1.8 billion invested in agricultural inputs, the sector has generated over 1,000 new jobs and revived rural economies across the state.
Tourism and environmental renewal have also become major employment drivers. The Christmas Unplugged festival alone created 5,670 jobs, while the construction of the ARISE Resort and Amphitheatre at Unity Park added another 2,145 jobs. These projects have positioned Akwa Ibom as a tourism hub and a destination for creative enterprise.
Infrastructure and rural development have been equally transformative. With 105 road projects executed across the state, over 19,500 jobs have been created in healthcare, education, elderly care, security, and community development. Each project is designed to employ local labor, ensuring that development translates directly into livelihoods.
In the civil service, Governor Eno has restored merit and transparency. Over 3,000 new workers have been approved for recruitment into the civil service, teaching, and health sectors. In 2025, 125 new officers—including 100 Occupational Safety Officers and 25 Senior State Counsel—were employed, establishing the state’s first Occupational Safety and Health Department. Additionally, 461 painters were recruited through the ARISE portal for city beautification projects, reflecting the administration’s commitment to inclusive employment.
A major innovation in this employment revolution is the ARISE Youth Employment Portal, launched on October 21, 2024. The digital platform ensures fairness in recruitment and empowerment by providing verified job listings, aptitude tests, and coordination of programs such as Youth Business Support, ARISE Entrepreneurial Support, Bursary Grants, and Ibom Watch. As of November 2025, 33,461 applicants who participated in computer-based tests received ₦50,000 transport rebates, totaling ₦1.6 billion—a first in Nigeria’s subnational employment history.
The administration’s focus on skills and entrepreneurship has produced measurable results. Through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development (Ibom-LED) program, over 1,500 entrepreneurs have been trained in business management, while 400 female youths received ₦500,000 each as business capital and ₦250,000 for store rental. In February 2026, 135 youths completed digital skills training, positioning them for opportunities in the technology sector.
At the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), more than 200 trainees are currently enrolled in vocational programs, while 1,000 participants are undergoing paid training with a ₦20,000 monthly transport allowance. This model ensures that learning leads directly to livelihood, bridging the gap between training and employment.
Governor Eno’s Town Square Meetings have further deepened grassroots empowerment. In three years, 7,688 citizens across six federal constituencies have been empowered with grants for farming, trading, equipment, vehicles, and mini-buses worth over ₦10 billion. All beneficiaries were transparently selected through the ARISE portal, ensuring equity and accountability.
What distinguishes the ARISE Agenda is its merit-based, inclusive, and project-linked approach. Every initiative is designed to create jobs, empower citizens, and strengthen communities. From agriculture to tourism, from infrastructure to digital innovation, the Governor’s policies have placed Akwa Ibom people at the center of development.
