Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has launched a large-scale oil palm development programme aimed at creating long-term wealth for thousands of households across the state through the cultivation of oil palm trees.
The initiative, which begins with the procurement and distribution of 620,000 high-yield oil palm seedlings, forms part of the Agricultural Revolution component of the ARISE Agenda and is designed to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and expand rural economic opportunities.
Speaking during the launch at the newly revamped Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) headquarters on Thursday, the governor described oil palm as a crop deeply connected to the history, economy, and identity of the people of Akwa Ibom.
According to him, the programme represents a deliberate effort to restore a traditional source of prosperity while creating a new generation of wealth through agriculture.
“Oil palm in this region, particularly in Akwa Ibom State, was more than a crop. It was a symbol of wealth, heritage, enterprise, and community life. Today, we are returning to our generational lifestyle because oil palm has always been a major resource and source of our fore-fathers’ wealth,” Eno said.
The governor stated that his administration intends to drive large-scale oil palm cultivation across the 31 local government areas of the state as part of a broader strategy to increase agricultural output and improve household incomes.
To ensure proper implementation, he disclosed that beneficiaries have already been profiled, with 500 households selected from each local government area. The profiling process, he explained, will support monitoring, evaluation, and technical guidance throughout the programme.
Eno said the economic impact of the initiative is expected to become visible within a few years as the trees mature and begin producing.
“Three years from now, you will begin to harvest to become a millionaire, and it will last forever from generation to generation. We are by this programme placing a major wealth in your hands to grow and prosper significantly,” he said.
He urged residents to embrace the programme as an opportunity for economic empowerment, stressing that agriculture remains one of the most sustainable pathways to wealth creation.
“Anybody that is willing to work, will certainly get something to do to live well in life with his or her family,” the governor added.
The state government is implementing the initiative in partnership with the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), which is expected to supply the seedlings required for the programme.
Eno commended the collaboration between Akwa Ibom State and NIFOR, describing it as critical to ensuring farmers receive quality planting materials capable of delivering strong yields in the future.
He confirmed that 620,000 seedlings have already been procured and called on NIFOR to maintain the agreed delivery schedule to support timely planting activities across the state.
The governor also used the occasion to highlight the rehabilitation of AKADEP, noting that the facility had been neglected for years before his administration embarked on efforts to restore it.
According to him, the revitalisation of the agency aligns with his government’s commitment to revive economically viable projects rather than abandon them.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, said the oil palm programme reflects the governor’s broader investment in agriculture, which includes farmer support schemes, grants, agricultural inputs, equipment leasing initiatives, and the development of the Ibom Model Farm.
Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, described the initiative as a major step toward repositioning oil palm production in the state. He assured that local government councils would support the implementation of the programme.
Also speaking, NIFOR Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gold Leonard Isona, praised the state government’s commitment to agricultural development and rural prosperity.
He described the launch as a forward-looking investment in economic independence, food security, and sustainable growth for communities across Akwa Ibom.
The Paramount Ruler of Uyo, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, also commended the initiative and pledged the support of traditional institutions toward ensuring its success.
With 620,000 seedlings already secured and thousands of households enrolled, the programme represents one of the most ambitious oil palm development drives in recent years and underscores Akwa Ibom’s renewed focus on agriculture as a tool for wealth creation and rural development.
