Tinubu approves Ibom Deep Seaport and grants international airport status as Akwa Ibom pledges two million votes

President Bola Tinubu visited Akwa Ibom State on 6 November 2026, where he formally approved the long‑awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project and granted the state international airport status for Victor Attah International Airport. The approvals were announced during a rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where the President responded to a request from Governor Umo Eno.

Governor Eno had earlier pledged more than two million votes for Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 presidential election, linking the political support to the federal government’s delivery of the deep‑sea port. In his appeal, Eno described the seaport as a strategic investment that could transform Akwa Ibom and the broader South‑South region by creating thousands of jobs and boosting maritime trade.

Tinubu’s declaration of approval was made immediately after the inauguration of upgraded facilities at Victor Attah International Airport, a project the President said reflected the continuity of development vision from previous administrations. He praised Governor Eno for sustaining that vision and highlighted the airport’s new international operations status.

Background

The Ibom Deep Seaport, a multi‑million‑dollar project, has been under discussion for several years as a means to enhance Nigeria’s maritime capacity and stimulate economic growth in the South‑South. Governor Umo Eno, who took office in 2023, has positioned the seaport as the next major development priority after securing international airport status for the state’s main air hub. The President’s earlier visit to Akwa Ibom included the inauguration of the upgraded airport, which had previously received approval for international operations.

During the same visit, Tinubu referenced the legacy of former Governor Victor Attah, after whom the airport is named, noting that the original vision had gradually become a reality through sustained governance. The President also used the occasion to urge citizens, especially youths, to obtain Permanent Voter Cards, linking the promised two million votes to the successful delivery of the seaport.

Why it matters

The approval of the Ibom Deep Seaport is expected to generate significant employment opportunities and attract investment, according to statements from both the governor and the President. Tinubu highlighted that the project should promote inclusive growth, create economic value and advance infrastructure development in the region. The international airport status granted to Victor Attah International Airport is also poised to boost trade and tourism by facilitating direct overseas flights.

Politically, the pledge of two million votes underscores the strategic alliance between the federal government and Akwa Ibom’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections. Tinubu’s remarks suggested that the promised votes would be contingent on the delivery of the seaport, indicating the project's importance in the state’s electoral calculus.

What happens next

Following the approvals, the federal government is expected to move forward with the detailed planning and funding arrangements for the Ibom Deep Seaport. No specific timeline for construction was disclosed in the sources. The state government will likely begin mobilisation of resources and stakeholder engagement to commence the project. Additionally, the upgraded Victor Attah International Airport will start operating under its new international status, potentially increasing passenger traffic and cargo handling in the coming months.