For years, December in Akwa Ibom State was a period many residents quietly endured rather than anticipated. While other parts of Nigeria came alive with carnivals, concerts, and tourist inflows, the season here was often calm to the point of monotony. The festive period passed with little activity beyond family meals and private gatherings.
This reality shaped behaviour. Many residents travelled out of the state during the holidays, and indigenes living elsewhere rarely made plans to return home. The consequence was more than emotional; the state lost seasonal revenue, tourism traffic, and the opportunity to project its culture on a national stage.
That pattern is now changing — and at the centre of the shift is the deliberate festive-season strategy of Governor Umo Eno.
Rather than allowing December to remain economically dormant, the Akwa Ibom State Government introduced a large-scale Christmas festival designed not only to entertain but to stimulate commerce, promote culture, and retain human traffic within the state. What emerged is a central festive hub that now attracts residents, visitors, entrepreneurs, and cultural performers throughout the season.
The impact has been immediate and visible.
December has evolved into a destination period, with daily activities that sustain interest and keep the city active. Carefully structured programming ensures that no two days feel the same, while crowd control, security, and logistics reflect strong planning and coordination.
A notable feature of the festival is the structured inclusion of all local government areas. Each council is given a dedicated platform to display its cultural identity — from traditional dances and indigenous cuisine to tourism prospects and local talents. This approach ensures cultural equity and gives rural communities visibility that rarely exists in conventional state events.
Beyond cultural showcases, government ministries, departments, and agencies are also assigned special days. These events provide an informal channel for public institutions to interact with citizens, communicate policies creatively, and humanise governance. Civil servants, often confined to formal office environments, engage the public in a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere.
While the stage performances and decorations draw attention, the most significant results are economic.
Hotels across Uyo and surrounding areas recorded full bookings weeks before December. Transport operators experienced increased demand, while food vendors, artisans, traders, and service providers reported record sales. Professionals in fashion, beauty, event planning, and media found themselves fully booked throughout the season.
In practical terms, securing accommodation during this period has become increasingly difficult. Many hotels confirmed that rooms were reserved months in advance, with availability only expected after the festivities. This surge reflects deliberate planning rather than coincidence.
Importantly, the economic ripple effect extends beyond the state capital. Neighbouring local government areas have benefited from overflow accommodation, increased commercial activity, and higher mobility. Ride-hailing services, roadside businesses, and informal traders all recorded gains, reinforcing the state’s growing reputation as a place not just to visit, but to spend and return to.
Security has also been a defining success. The festive environment remains calm and orderly despite high attendance. Visible law-enforcement presence, strategic checkpoints, and coordinated crowd management have ensured that residents and visitors feel safe enough to stay late into the night, with vehicles parked overnight without fear.
One of the most impactful moments of the season was the ALGON Night held on Sunday, 14 December. What started as a celebratory gathering became a direct empowerment platform. Several young people received cash support of ₦300,000, ₦200,000, and ₦100,000, alongside other consolation prizes. Scholarships were also awarded by some local government chairmen, transforming a night of celebration into a moment of opportunity and hope. With support from Utang Akwa Ibom and Godfather, many youths left not just entertained, but empowered.
This approach reflects a broader philosophy: celebration must create value.
At the centre of this transformation is Governor Umo Eno, whose leadership style emphasises people-centred governance. His administration has demonstrated that public policy can prioritise joy, safety, culture, and economic inclusion simultaneously. The festive season has become an extension of governance — not detached from it.
The Governor’s commitment to tourism development is further reflected in major projects such as the ARISE Palm Resort, a world-class destination nearing completion. The resort features a nine-hole golf course, luxury villas and apartments, artificial lakes, restaurants, wellness facilities, children’s recreation areas, banquet halls, and shopping outlets, reinforcing Akwa Ibom’s long-term tourism strategy.
Execution of the festive programme has been strengthened by key officials. The Commissioner for Tourism, Dr Anietie Udofia, maintains a consistent on-ground presence to ensure smooth coordination, while the Commissioner for Information, Rt Hon Aniekan Umanah, continues to keep the public informed with remarkable consistency and energy.
Today, Akwa Ibom is experiencing a shift in perception. December is no longer a period of exit but a season of return. The state has repositioned itself as a safe, vibrant, and economically active festive destination.
Under Governor Umo Eno, Christmas in Akwa Ibom has become more than a celebration — it is now a tool for cultural expression, economic growth, and social connection.
If you are not in Akwa Ibom this season, you are missing more than entertainment.
You are missing opportunity, culture, safety, and a new December experience.
Akwa Ibom is open.
By Chief Edet Isong
