President Bola Tinubu has approved the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State, raising expectations for increased investment, employment opportunities and maritime development in the South-South region.

The President announced the approval on Friday, November 6, 2026, during a reception held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, following a request by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.

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Tinubu, who was in the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Eno administration, said development initiatives must promote inclusiveness, generate economic value and improve the living conditions of citizens.

Responding to the governor’s appeal on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, the President sought the audience’s reaction before declaring the project approved.

The announcement followed Eno’s promise that the state would mobilise two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved the seaport project.

According to the governor, the proposed facility has the potential to stimulate economic activities across Akwa Ibom, the South-South region and Nigeria as a whole.

Eno described the seaport as a major economic priority for the state, explaining that its development would strengthen maritime operations, attract industrial investments and create employment opportunities for residents.

He also noted that the people of Akwa Ibom had continued to support Tinubu since 2023 and were seeking the fulfilment of his earlier commitment to establish the facility.

The President had promised to develop the deep seaport during his 2023 presidential campaign visit to the same stadium, referencing the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos as an example of the type of maritime infrastructure he hoped to establish in Akwa Ibom.

The Ibom Deep Seaport project, initially conceived as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah, has remained unrealised for several years despite featuring in successive political campaigns.

Eno explained that the proposed facility would serve as a major transhipment hub, connecting the state to international trade networks while creating thousands of jobs.

He added that the project would open Akwa Ibom to greater international trade and investment, potentially strengthening its position within Nigeria’s maritime and industrial sectors.

The governor further explained that the state’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress was part of efforts to strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government and attract more development opportunities.

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He assured Tinubu of the state’s continued support ahead of the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that the approval would translate into significant economic benefits for the people.