By Aniekan Umanah
DALLAS, TEXAS — August 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA Inc. (AKISAN) has chosen Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, as the venue for its 40th National Convention in 2027, marking a historic return to the homeland as the organisation celebrates four decades of existence.
The decision was taken at the 39th National Convention of AKISAN held in Dallas, Texas, where Akwa Ibom professionals, community leaders, traditional rulers, entrepreneurs, families and other members of the Diaspora gathered for four days of cultural activities, business engagements, fundraising, networking and leadership events.
The decision to hold the 40th anniversary convention in Uyo was widely seen as more than a change of venue, with the organisation describing it as a homecoming that will reconnect Akwa Ibom people in the Diaspora with their homeland.
The convention also provided an opportunity to showcase developments taking place across Akwa Ibom State under Governor Pastor Umo Eno, particularly in infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, education, social development and investment.
At the convention, the Governor was represented by Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, who delivered his message to the gathering.
She urged Akwa Ibom indigenes in the Diaspora to bring their expertise, professional skills, international exposure, networks and investments back home, stressing the importance of their participation in the development of the state.
Earlier, at the Town Hall session, the achievements of the Umo Eno administration were presented to members of the Diaspora, highlighting major projects and programmes across the state.
Tourism and Hospitality
Among the projects expected to attract the attention of returning AKISAN delegates is the ARISE Palm Resort, a major tourism development located on approximately 73 hectares of reclaimed and remediated land.
The resort is designed to provide facilities for leisure, business, recreation and family entertainment, including golf, swimming pools, restaurants, sports facilities, children’s playgrounds and convention infrastructure.
The Diaspora is also expected to encounter the rehabilitated Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, reconstructed Ibom Hotels at the City Convention Arena, convention facilities and the ARISE Shopping City.
These developments are expected to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position as a destination for tourism, business and major events.
Airport, Roads and Transportation
The returning delegates are expected to arrive through the newly completed terminal of Victor Attah International Airport, which is positioned as a major gateway into the state.
The state also boasts a road network of more than 1,300 kilometres and 41 bridges connecting Uyo with communities across Akwa Ibom.
The state’s CNG-powered buses are also expected to provide returning delegates with another experience of the administration’s efforts to modernise public transportation while promoting cleaner and more affordable mobility.
Healthcare and Education
Healthcare is another area expected to feature prominently during the homecoming.
According to the presentation at the convention, nearly 230,000 residents are enrolled in the state’s health insurance programme, while the 350-bed Ibom International Hospital provides specialist healthcare services.
The state has also established 31 model primary healthcare centres and 31 model primary schools across the local government areas as part of efforts to improve access to basic healthcare and education.
For Akwa Ibom professionals living abroad, particularly those in the medical and technical fields, the developments could provide opportunities for professional collaboration and knowledge transfer.
Support for Retirees and Vulnerable Citizens
The Umo Eno administration’s intervention in the payment of retirees’ gratuities also featured prominently in the presentation.
The state government reportedly inherited a gratuity backlog of about ₦111 billion and has so far paid approximately ₦88.6 billion, substantially reducing the outstanding obligations.
The administration has also expressed its commitment to clearing the remaining liabilities within its first term.
Another major social intervention is the construction of 461 Compassionate Homes — furnished two-bedroom houses provided for vulnerable residents.
The ARISE Senior Citizens Centre is also expected to attract attention from returning members of the Diaspora as part of the state’s efforts to provide care and dignity for older citizens.
Investment Opportunities
Beyond government-funded projects, Akwa Ibom is positioning agriculture, tourism, the blue economy, power, housing and transportation as areas for future investment.
The establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the state’s continued pursuit of the Ibom Deep Seaport are among the initiatives expected to shape the state’s long-term economic ambitions.
Against this background, the AKISAN Business Summit held during the Dallas convention assumes greater significance.
The organisation’s Diaspora community includes doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants, academics, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and creatives whose expertise could be deployed through partnerships and investment opportunities in the state.
Youth and the Future of AKISAN
The youth also featured prominently during the convention’s activities.
At the fundraising launch, Chairman of the occasion, Obong Dr. Itata Itata, Esq., called on AKISAN members to provide young people with opportunities to lead today rather than simply describing them as “leaders of tomorrow.”
The 2027 homecoming is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for younger members of the Diaspora to reconnect with Akwa Ibom, its culture, people and heritage.
AKISAN at 40
The 40th anniversary will also provide AKISAN with an opportunity to reflect on its history and honour the pioneers who established and nurtured the organisation over the past four decades.
For Engr. Dr. Mbong Ekiko, who begins another two-year term as National President unopposed, the decision to return to Uyo comes with the responsibility of organising an anniversary that reflects AKISAN’s history while preparing the organisation for a new generation.
The Uyo convention is expected to bring together AKISAN leadership, chapters, the Akwa Ibom State Government, traditional institutions, businesses, community leaders and members of the Diaspora.
The envisioned homecoming will combine business, culture, tourism, community visits and investment engagements.
From the airport to the roads, hotels, hospitals, schools, tourism facilities and ancestral communities, returning delegates are expected to experience a changing Akwa Ibom while reconnecting with their roots.
The 39th convention in Dallas may have ended, but its most significant decision is already shaping the next chapter of AKISAN.
With Uyo selected as the venue for the 40th National Convention, Akwa Ibom is preparing to welcome home a Diaspora community carrying four decades of history, experience, expertise and global connections.
Dallas gave AKISAN the vote. Uyo will give it the homecoming.
