Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, has approved the appointment of Mr Uwem Ekanem as Special Adviser on Aviation and Airport Development.
The appointment places Ekanem at the centre of the state government’s renewed aviation expansion agenda, which seeks to strengthen Victor Attah International Airport, deepen aviation infrastructure and position Akwa Ibom as a major aviation, tourism and logistics hub.
Ekanem, who has served as Managing Director of Ibom Airport Development Company Limited, has been closely involved in the management and development of the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.
He has also played visible roles in the state’s aviation development programme, including airport infrastructure readiness, restoration of night flight operations, international operations preparation and coordination of key airport projects.
His appointment follows recent steps by the Umo Eno administration to expand the state’s aviation ecosystem, including the creation of the Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development.
The new ministry is expected to oversee aviation policy, airport development, international operations, infrastructure upgrades and efforts to grow Akwa Ibom’s presence in regional and continental air transport.
Ekanem had earlier been directed to oversee the affairs of the new ministry pending the appointment of a substantive commissioner.
The state government has in recent months intensified work around airport infrastructure, including navigational aids, airfield lighting, terminal readiness, cargo development, security systems and other facilities required to support international operations.
The appointment is seen as part of Governor Eno’s broader plan to consolidate Akwa Ibom’s aviation gains and build on the progress recorded at Victor Attah International Airport.
With the airport’s growing profile and the state’s investment in aviation-linked infrastructure, Ekanem is expected to provide technical and policy support to drive the next phase of aviation and airport development in the state.
