PRESS RELEASE

The Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, has stated that the Akwa Ibom State Tax Bills currently under consideration at the State House of Assembly will bring relief to the low income earners, promote small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), as well as boost economic growth in the State. 

Okon made the observation on Wednesday, 4th February, 2026 during a public hearing on three executive bills, namely, Akwa Ibom State Revenue Service and Administration Bill 2025; Akwa Ibom State Taxes and Levies Bill 2025; and Akwa Ibom State Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency Bill 2025. Okon, who a Member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, gave other benefits of the State Tax Bills to include elimination of multiple taxes, stoppage of road blocks for revenue collections, harmonization of tax collection, e.g. property tax, daily ticket, etc; and uniformity in tax admiration and rates across the Federation. 

Others, he noted, are ease of doing business, exemptions and reduction in personal income tax for low income bracket, zero VAT on food, transport, health, education and rent; elimination of minimum tax on losses, and elimination of nuisance taxes.

Sir Okon said: "The tax reforms has brought a lot of good news to the people. One, what used to be multiple taxes, about 46 taxes between the the state and local governments, have been harmonized, under the bills, into nine taxes for all the State of the federation, not only Akwa Ibom. Two, for low-income earners, those who earn under N800,000 and below, have been completely exempted from Personal Income Tax, whereas last year, it was N300,000 and below".

Describing the old tax laws which came to an end on December 31st, 2025 as archaic and obsolete, he added, "Moreover, five items: food, health, education, rent, and mass transportation have been put at zero rate. That should bring a lot of relief to households. Then, there is digitization of tax processes for efficiency, transparency and accountability”. 

The public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, chaired by Dr. Itorobong Etim. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem. Other lawmakers, including the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Udo; Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Bob; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Mr Linus Nkan; Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Anthony Luke; Chairman of NLC, Comrade Sunny James, CSOs, CITN, and ICAN, among others attended the meeting.

AKIRS Holds Capacity-Building Workshop on Implementation of New Tax Reforms & New Tax Management System (TMS)

In furtherance of its capacity-building programme, the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) is conducting a 3-day workshop for directors, management staff, and heads of units on the implementation of the New Tax Reforms and  their new tax management system (TMS) christened, Ibomtax. The programme which started on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the ICT Centre, Office of the Accountant-General, State Secretariat, Uyo, is scheduled to last till 4th February, 2026.

Some of the topics handled include, Overview of Tax Reforms: Rationale and Objectives"; “Key Changes in Personal Income Tax Under the New Reforms,”; “Key Changes in State Taxes and Levies under the New Reforms,”; "Key Changes in Withholding Tax and Stamp Duties,”;  “Key Changes in Tax Audit under the New Reforms,”, with hands-on sessions on Tax Management Systems with the help of digital tools, anchored by Mr. Mike Eteffia, a Tax Consultant. 

Delivering a keynote address, the Executive Chairman of AKIRS, Sir Okon Okon, encouraged participants to receive and take ownership of the reforms as well as the new technology for improved service delivery. 

Head of Tax Education, Mrs. Uduak Ukpe, who gave a background to the reforms and the major impacts, said the participants were key stakeholders and drivers in educating the taxpaying public, hence the need for the workshop.

Reacting to the impact of the programme,  Mr. Hope Akpan, an Assessment Authority, and Mrs. Itoro Akpan, a senior tax officer both described the workshop as enlightening and highly educative, particularly lessons on practical application of digital tax administration tools, and promised to keep pace with new developments in the tax ecosystem.

T-Shirts Village Rewards Winners of Ikot Ekpe Unity Cup with Grand Prizes

Priscilla Akpanettot 

Winners of the Ikot Ekpe Unity Cup grand finale on Sunday, January 25, 2026 smiled home with large parcels of cash, being the prize given to them by Akwa Ibom's foremost indigenous T-shirts hub, T-shirts Village.

Staged at the field by the Flyover opposite the Federal Secretariat in Uyo, the Unity Match was sponsored by Hon. Akan Eyo, CEO T-Shirts Village, located at 94, Aka Road; with a kick-off performance by the All Stars Club Uyo President, Engr. Uwem Umoh.

In the female category final, Edu Babes defeated Emem Babes 4-3 on penalties after a goalless full-time draw, while the male final between Asin Ufod Street FC and Usong Itiaba FC ended 3-2 in favour of Asin Ufod; also after penalties, as regulation time ended goalless. 

The match, which ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, showcased the skills and determination of both teams, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. 

All Stars FC went home with third place (bronze) as a consolidation prize, Efiok Ekin, the highest goal scorer, took home a cash prize, while medals and monetary awards were distributed to different categories of winners at the closing ceremony.

The event which brought together members of Ikot Ekpe Offot Community was attended by government functionaries, political and traditional leaders as well as sports stakeholders within and outside the State.

Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society Set for 61st Conference

 

Priscilla Akpanettot 

The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) is set to hold its 61st Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Themed "Optimizing Efficiency, Sustainability and Resilience in Resources Management and Infrastructure Development", the event is scheduled to hold from March 22nd to 27th, 2026, at Ceedapeg Hotel in Ewet Housing, Uyo.

They Conference will feature keynote addresses, technical paper presentations, industry exhibitions, and field excursions, focusing on sub-themes like energy and mineral development, geoscience and flood control, and the role of geosciences in construction.

President of the Society, Ms. Rose Ndong gave this information on Friday, January 23, 2026, at a press briefing in Uyo.

She emphasized the event's significance in promoting geo-economics, sustainable development and infrastructure resilience,  describing it as a rallying point for the transformation of geological knowledge into sustainable revenue streams, job creation, skills development, improved land-use planning and infrastructure investment.

According to the President, NMGS serves as a strategic platform for the advancement of geoscientific knowledge and professional practice; providing technical advisory services to government and industry, ‎promoting sustainable resource development, supporting infrastructure planning, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction, among other cardinal functions, thus, contributing directly to Nigeria's economic diversification and sustainable development agenda.

‎Ms. Ndong who informed that the Conference is one of the largest geoscience gatherings in Africa said the event is hosted annually,  providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge between academia, industry, and government. 

"It will showcase emerging technologies and innovations in geosciences, strengthen Nigeria's profile in global geoscientific discourse as well as support evidence-based policymaking in resources and infrastructure development," she stressed.

She noted that the theme reflects the urgent need to manage Nigeria's natural resources responsibly while building infrastructure that is safe, durable, and climate-resilient.

"‎Sub-themes include:Maximizing Benefits of Interdisciplinary Approaches to Energy and Mineral Development, Geosciences and Flood Control, Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing in Mineral Exploration and Extraction, Current Trends in Geoscientific Discovery and Innovation as well as Role of Geosciences in the Construction Industry", she listed, adding that each of them has direct implications for Akwa Ibom State's development, particularly in energy optimization, flood mitigation, infrastructure safety, and sustainable exploitation of mineral resources.

On the choice of Akwa Ibom State as a venue for the 2026 Conference, the NMGS President said that the State has demonstrated commendable commitment to geo-tourism and sustainable environmental development

She cited the ARISE Palm Resort as an example of this commitment and commended the State Government for the Initiative behind the project.

"... the ARISE Palm Resort...‎harmoniously integrates: natural landscapes, geological features, recreational and tourism

‎infrastructure. ‎In addition, the State's waterfront developments, extensive coastline, beach sands, wetlands ‎and estuarine systems represent significant geo-tourism assets with both economic and scientific value", she noted and submitted that hosting the Conference positions Akwa Ibom as a geo-economic hub within the Niger Delta region.

"Akwa Ibom is also endowed with beach and construction sands, Clay, laterite, ‎gravel prospects, and other industrial minerals, groundwater and surface water resources" which she said the Conference will showcase and responsibly promote to investors, researchers, and policy makers.

The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) is Nigeria's leading professional body dedicated to the advancement and application of geosciences, mining, and allied earth science disciplines

The Conference is expected to attract delegates from Nigeria and abroad, offering a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and investment.

Ikot Ekpe Offot Unity Cup Grand Finale

............1st edition 2026

This Sunday, 25th January 2026, will witness the grand finale of the Ikot Ekpe Unity Cup, an event expected to be a spectacle. The contest will be held at Abak Road, opposite the Jehovah Witness Hall, near the flyover. It is anticipated to be an enthralling game. We invite you to be part of this celebration of unity among the people, embodying the spirit of Akwa Ibom United.

This is powered by the CEO, T-shirts Village, 74 Aka Road, Uyo 

Don't miss out!

#IkotEkpeUnityCup

#1stEdition2026

Akwa Ibom Senatorial Office Lists Achievements, Rebuts Claims of Poor Representation

The Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District Liaison Office has rejected recent claims questioning the quality of representation at the National Assembly by Senator Aniekan Bassey, describing the allegations as misleading and unsupported by facts.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Publicity and Spokesperson of the Liaison Office, Dr Eventus Edem, the office said it was compelled to respond to public comments credited to a former federal lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Daniel Akpan, in order to “set the records straight for the benefit of the public”.

Dr Edem said while dissenting opinions are a legitimate part of democratic discourse, assessments of public officeholders must be guided by evidence, balance and verifiable records rather than sweeping generalisations.

According to the statement, senatorial representation should be evaluated on four key pillars: legislation, oversight, advocacy and constituency development. It argued that Senator Aniekan Bassey has demonstrated “substantial and visible performance” across all four areas since assuming office.

On legislation, the Liaison Office listed several bills sponsored by the senator, including amendments to the Price Control Act, the Agricultural Research Council Act, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, and proposed establishment bills for institutions such as a National Centre for Renewable Energy Research in Uruan and a Federal College of Fishery and Aquatic Studies for the district. It added that Senator Bassey currently serves on key Senate committees and is also a member of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The statement further highlighted the senator’s role in national advocacy through motions on issues such as crude oil theft, the Petroleum Industry Act, the exit of international oil companies, alleged annexation of mangrove islands in Mbo Local Government Area by Cameroon, and human trafficking.

On constituency development, the Liaison Office said Senator Bassey has invested heavily in education, youth empowerment, healthcare and infrastructure. It cited the delivery of ICT centres and learning equipment to schools across the district, sponsorship of over 3,000 students for UTME registration, scholarships, digital skills training, and grants and equipment support amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.

Healthcare interventions, according to the statement, include free medical and surgical outreaches across the three federal constituencies in the district, alongside the supply of drugs and consumables to health centres. It also listed solar streetlights, boreholes, classroom blocks and facilitated road projects as part of the senator’s infrastructure footprint.

Dr Edem said the claims of “absence” or “failure” in representation do not align with what he described as “documented, visible and verifiable achievements”, noting that constituents could independently confirm projects and programmes across local government areas.

He added that the achievements of the senator are publicly documented and available at the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District Liaison Office in Uyo.

The statement concluded by urging political actors to engage in issue-based debates and constructive criticism, stressing that democratic accountability is strengthened by facts rather than rhetoric.

Akwa Ibom ALGON Dismisses False Report on Alleged Rejection of Federal Allocation

 

PRESS STATEMENT

Akwa Ibom ALGON Dismisses False Report on Alleged Rejection of Federal Allocation

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has dismissed as false and malicious a report published by The Crest Newspaper alleging that Local Government Chairmen rejected “pilfered” federal allocation. ALGON states clearly that no such incident occurred, and the report is a misrepresentation of facts aimed at misleading the public and creating unnecessary tension.

For the avoidance of doubt, no Local Government Chairman in Akwa Ibom State rejected any federal allocation. Indeed, the suggestion that Chairmen would dare a Governor who has consistently demonstrated strong support for the local government system is unfounded and illogical. 

On the contrary, following a shortfall in the federal allocation, the Akwa Ibom State Government promptly intervened by providing grants to local governments to cushion the impact and ensure smooth administration at the grassroots.

ALGON further affirms that local government administrations across the state are up to date in the payment of salaries and statutory entitlements, including the payment of the 13th month salary to workers in December. This reflects the commitment of both the local governments and the supportive role of the state government in prioritising workers’ welfare.

It is also important to place on record that His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, assisted in the payment of backlog gratuities owed to local government retirees, particularly in view of the shortfall in the November federal allocation shared in December and ALGON appreciates His Excellency for his benevolence in that regard.

ALGON emphasizes that the Akwa Ibom State Government has consistently augmented local government allocations whenever there is a shortfall, a long-standing practice that predates the current administration of Pastor Umo Eno, PhD.

ALGON therefore urges the media to uphold professionalism, verify facts, and refrain from sensational reporting capable of undermining public confidence. The Association remains committed to transparent governance and continued collaboration with the state government for the development of Akwa Ibom State.

e-signed:

Dr Uwemedimo Udo

Chairman, ALGON

Akwa Ibom State Chapter

12012026