By | Anietie Usen & Clement Warrie
Ime Okon, a tour guide, is well known among visitors at the iconic Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort. Jovial, friendly and always eager to assist, the 44 year old staff member is one of the longest serving workers at the famous “Five Star”, as many Akwa Ibom people fondly call the resort.
Beyond his warm personality, Okon carries what many would describe as the institutional memory of the nearly two decade old hotel. He has seen the resort during its finest moments and through periods of decline. In his words, he has witnessed the “former glory and latter glory” of the hotel. For him, the latter glory has now surpassed the former.
Much of the credit is widely attributed to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, a globally recognised hospitality entrepreneur who assumed office on May 29, 2023. With a long and distinguished career in hotel and tourism management, many believed it would be natural for the governor to make a visible mark on the state’s most prominent tourism asset.
Before the current transformation, the resort was far from its best condition when Governor Eno took office. Recognising the strategic value of the facility to Akwa Ibom’s tourism industry, the governor approved a comprehensive rehabilitation of the entire complex. He appointed former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Charles Udoh, to supervise the project.
In March 2024, Governor Eno visited the hotel to personally inspect the progress of the rehabilitation.
“We cannot invest so much money in a facility like this and continue to record losses and deficits. Going forward, we want a solid international brand and if necessary we can develop our own brand,” the governor said at the time.
Today, several years into the effort, the resort has experienced a dramatic revival. The facility has regained its appeal and once again stands as a source of pride for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
Situated within 174 hectares of lush tropical vegetation in southern Uruan, the upscale resort offers a serene landscape surrounded by greenery. The property features a scenic waterfront and an immaculate 18 hole golf course known for its carefully maintained fairways and greens.
Completing a round of golf on the course takes about five hours. The facility includes seven artificial water features, two of which are fitted with fountains. Usenobong Akpabio, a former captain of the Ibom Golf Club, commended the governor for the decision to undertake a full maintenance programme on the golf course after nearly two decades of operation.
“There is a complete turnaround maintenance taking place here at the golf course, widely regarded as one of the best in West Africa,” Akpabio said. “The fairways, bunkers and especially the greens, which are among the most critical elements of a golf course, are now being replaced with Paspalum grass.”
The resort’s tranquil outdoor environment is complemented by high quality accommodation facilities. The complex contains 163 luxury rooms, 26 suites and seven chalets designed to provide comfort and premium hospitality services.
The Managing Director of the hotel, Charles Udoh, popularly known as Sir Charles, explained that major operational improvements have also been introduced. These include the recent acquisition of three 1,500 KVA generators to guarantee steady power supply, support electronic systems and strengthen the resort’s security infrastructure.
“For the first time in almost two decades, the hotel has begun to record profit. This marks a significant shift from years of operational decline to a path of sustainable growth,” Udoh said.
The improved financial performance, he added, reflects the broader vision of Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda, particularly the administration’s focus on tourism as a viable economic driver.
Accessibility to the resort has also improved significantly. The facility can now be reached by road, air and sea. It features two helipads and a jetty at the Marina. From the jetty, a speedboat can reach Cameroon in about 45 minutes, while Tinapa Resort in Calabar can be accessed within 10 to 15 minutes.
Security around the facility has also been strengthened with the deployment of two gunboats and operational presence from the Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration Service and the Nigerian Army.
Beyond its modern attractions, the resort also preserves elements of Akwa Ibom’s historical heritage. At the Marina Club stands a precolonial boat believed to date back to around 1810. The surrounding waterfront hosts numerous fishing canoes and an active fish market where fresh seafood is sold alongside locally brewed gin that many residents now favour over imported brands.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia, said the governor’s tourism policy reflects a clear understanding of the sector’s economic potential.
“Tourism creates jobs, strengthens small and medium enterprises, supports infrastructure development, preserves the natural environment and reduces poverty and inequality. These themes featured strongly in the governor’s campaign messages that led to his victory,” Udofia said.
The Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort was originally established nearly two decades ago by Obong Victor Attah, the second civilian governor of Akwa Ibom State. Over time it became one of the most prominent tourism landmarks in the South South region of Nigeria.
The resort first operated under the international Le Méridien brand before transitioning to Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort and later adopting its present identity as Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort.
Observers say Governor Eno’s role in the ongoing transformation is consistent with his professional background. A Fellow of the Nigerian Hotels and Catering Institute, the governor built a successful hospitality business before entering public service. He also previously served as Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Hotels and Tourism Board during the Attah administration, working alongside his current Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who at the time served as supervising commissioner.
With extensive experience serving multinational corporations in the hospitality industry, the governor has leveraged his background to reposition the state’s tourism sector for broader competitiveness.
Another notable aspect of the renovation project, according to Usenobong Akpabio, is the governor’s decision to prioritise local contractors for many of the upgrade works. This strategy, he said, has helped stimulate the local economy and expand employment opportunities.
For the Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area, Iniobong Ekpeyong, the hotel continues to play an important role in supporting host communities including Mbiakong, Nwaniba and Ifiayong.
“Governor Eno’s decision to upgrade the hotel and golf course demonstrates his commitment to tourism development and infrastructure. The restoration has created jobs for young people and opened opportunities for professionals within the state,” Ekpeyong said.
He added that the renewed facility strengthens the state’s tourism appeal.
“The entire state, Nigeria and international tourists alike benefit from the transformation of this exclusive resort,” he said.
