Tinubu Announces Approval for Ibom Deep Sea Port and Akwa Ibom Airport Upgrade
President Bola Tinubu has announced approval for the proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State and the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport to international status.
The President made the announcements on Friday, 6 November 2026, during a state visit and rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
What was announced
Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno asked the Federal Government to support the port, describing it as a project capable of expanding trade, industry and employment in the state and across the South-South.
Tinubu responded that the request had been approved and said the project should create economic value and development. He also said he had approved the governor’s request for Victor Attah International Airport to receive international status.
During the visit, the President commissioned the airport’s new terminal building, Ring Road 3 and the Arise Palm Resort.
Approval is not the same as construction
The latest announcement does not mean that work on the deep-sea port has started. The State House statement did not provide a financing structure, procurement timetable or construction start date.
The Ibom port proposal predates the present administration. A preferred bidder had been selected and the Federal Executive Council approved a full business case in December 2020, but the project remained unbuilt.
The public will need to watch for a formal implementation schedule, funding commitments, concession arrangements and environmental approvals. These steps will determine when the announcement becomes a functioning port rather than another delayed infrastructure promise.
Sources: State House statement; independent report on the announcement.
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