INTRODUCTION
Akwa Ibom State is one of the six states that make up the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It has interstate boundaries with Cross River State to the East, Abia State to the North and Northwest and Rivers State to the Southwest. To its South is the Gulf of Guinea. 

LANDMASS, LOCATION AND POPULATION
Akwa Ibom State covers an area of 7,081 square kilometres. It lies at latitude 05°00′ North and 07°50′ East. It has a population of 3,902,051 (2006 census) 5,482,177 (2016 forecast) and a population density of 551. The state accounts for 2.78% of Nigeria's total population. 

HISTORY AND PEOPLE

Ibibio dancers

The early settlers of Akwa Ibom State were the Ibibio people. The area was a centre for early missionary activity and contact. It was a prominent trade route providing the city-states of Old Calabar with slaves and palm produce. 
Akwa Ibom State was originally part of the Eastern region in the three-region structure of 1954. In 1967 with the creation of twelve federal states by General Yakubu Gowon's military government, it became part of the South Eastern State and renamed Cross River in 1976 by the military government of General Murtala Muhammed. In 1987, Ibrahim Babangida’s military government carved Akwa Ibom State out of Cross River State.
The main ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom State are the Ibibio, Anang, Oron, Eket and Mbo. There are twenty languages in the state. The Ibibio people form the largest ethnic group and their language is the most widespread. Other significant languages in the state are Annang, Oron, Ibeno and Eket.
Christianity is the major religion in Akwa Ibom State although some people in the state practise traditional religions.

MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES
Uyo (Capital), Abak, Eket, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, and Oron.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS 

ADMINISTRATORS AND GOVERNORS

•    Tunde Ogbeha (Administrator- Military): September 1987 – July 1988
•    Godwin Abbe (Administrator – Military): July 1988 – September 1990
•    Idongesit Nkanga (Administrator – Military): September 1990 – January 1992
•    Akpan Isemin (Governor – Civilian (National Republican Convention)): January 1992 – November 1993
•    Yakubu Bako (Administrator – Military): December 1993 – August 1996
•    Joseph Adeusi (Administrator – Military): August 1996 – August 1998
•    John Ebiye (Administrator – Military): August 1998 – May 1999
•    Victor Attah (Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party)): May 1999 – May 2007
•    Godswill Akpabio (Governor – Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): May 2007 – May 2015
•     Udom Emmanuel (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): May 2015- Present.

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION

Economic activity in Akwa Ibom State is centred on agriculture. Oil palms, which abound in the state, are of great commercial importance. Other major cash crops in the state include rubber, cocoa, and rice.
The most important mineral resource in Akwa Ibom State is petroleum; others include natural gas, salt, silver nitrate, limestone, glass sand, clay and coal. 
Fishing is of importance in Akwa Ibom State. Cross River, the Qua Iboe, Calabar and Imo rivers provide the state with significant freshwater fishing opportunities. There are also extensive deep-sea fishing and shrimping along the state’s coastline.
The key industries in Akwa Ibom State are the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria located in Ikot Abasi and the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company in the Itu. Traditional pottery, raffia and cane crafts are also important industries there. 
The major tertiary institutions in the state are the University of Uyo, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State University, Oruk Anam, Obong University, Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Uyo City Polytechnic, Nduetong Oku, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene and Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit.

FAMOUS SITES AND CULTURE
Sites
Bridge of No Return, Ikot Abasi

As its name suggests, the ‘Bridge of No Return’ in Ikot Abasi marks the point where slaves boarded ships for the transatlantic journey to the ‘new world’. Located in Ikot Abasi, it serves as a present-day reminder of the horrors the slave trade era.

Amalgamation House, Ikot Abasi

Located in Ikot Abasi, Amalgamation house is where Sir Frederick Lugard decreed the amalgamation of the Protectorate of Southern and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria on January 1, 1914. Lugard, who at the time, was the governor of both protectorates and became the first Governor-General of Nigeria after the amalgamation.

Ibiobio Museum and State Park, Uyo

The Ibiobio Museum and state park in Uyo, houses artefacts that display the rich cultural diversity of the state. The surrounding parkland with its ponds, walk-ways and lawns complements the museum.

Culture

The different people of Akwa Ibom State have many cultural attributes in common particularly food, festivals and rituals. Festivals and cultural dances abound in the state some of the main ones are Usoro Ita, a hunting festival; Usoro Usuuk Udia, the new yam festival; Usoro Iyak, a fishing festival and Usoro Isong Inyang, a water regatta. Asian Uboikpa is a dance by maidens in their prime, it marks the successful completion of Mbopo – the schooling and preparation of maidens for marriage. Oko is a war dance performed by men.

NOTABLE INDIGENES   

Sir Egbert Udo Udoma (1917-1998)

Dominic Ekandem (1917-1995)

DID YOU KNOW
 

Akwa Ibom is Nigeria’s highest oil-producing state with an estimated production capacity of 800,000 barrels per day.