Akon Eyakenyi

• Politician
• teacher

Akon Eyakenyi
Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 May 2023

Akon Etim Eyakenyi (( listen ^ⓘ ); born 24 February 1960) is a Nigerian politician, serving as the current Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State. ^{[1] [2]} She served as the senator for Akwa Ibom South from 2019 to 2023. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]} Before being elected to the senate, she was the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan. ^{[8] [9]}

Early life and education

Eyakenyi was born in 1960 into the family of Chief Uweh Isangedihi in Urue-Offong/Oruko local government area in Akwa Ibom State. In 1968 she attended Government Primary School, Uko Uyokim where she finished with her First School Leaving Certificate in 1974. In 1974 she enrolled into the Methodist Teacher’s Training College in Oron and graduated with Teachers Grade II Certificate in 1979.

In 1983, Eyakenyi enrolled at the University of Calabar and earned a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1986. In 1990, she obtained a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree from the University of Calabar. She later earned a Master of Education (M.Ed) in 2010 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Curriculum Education in 2014. ^{[10] [11]}

Career

Eyakenyi began her career as a teacher when she was appointed Mistress I & II by the Cross River State Education Board, where she served from 1986 to 1993. In 1991, while serving as a teacher, she was appointed Supervisor for Education, Youths, Sports and Culture in Oron. Subsequently, she served in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education from 1993 to 1999 as an education officer. In 1999, she was appointed to serve on the Akwa Ibom State Education Board. ^[12]

In 2000, she was appointed Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Akwa Ibom State during the regime of Victor Attah. In 2013, she was appointed by Godswill Akpabio as chairman of Akwa Ibom State Technical Schools Board. She served as chairman of the board until her appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in 2014. ^{[13] [2]}

Senate

In 2018, Eyakenyi declared her intentions to run for the senate to represent Akwa Ibom South senatorial district. ^{[14] [15]} In October 2018, she participated in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries and emerged as the winner. ^{[16] [17]} On 25 February 2019 she was declared winner of the 2019 general elections to represent Akwa Ibom South senatorial district. ^{[18] [19]} In 2021, she introduced a bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard in the senate. ^{[17] [20]}

Personal life

She is married with children and grand children. ^[11]

References

1. Ukpong, Cletus (20 May 2019). "9th National Assembly: We'll not defect, PDP senator assures governor" . Retrieved 24 June 2019.
2. Rapheal (27 December 2023). "11 women who shaped events in 2023 (2)". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
3. "INEC declares PDP winner of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial seat". Punch Newspapers. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
4. "INEC declares PDP winner of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial seat". 25 February 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
5. Umo, Iniabasi; Uyo (25 February 2019). "INEC declares PDP winner in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District". Daily Trust. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
6. "I Feel Blessed, Says Senate Newbie Akon Eyakenyi". THISDAYLIVE. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
7. "Governorship Polls: How states will vote". The Nation Newspaper. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
8. "Affordable housing: private initiative to the rescue". The Nation Newspaper. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
9. "AK At 30: Making Bold Imprints In National Politics". pioneernewsonline.com. Retrieved 24 June 2019.^{[ dead link ]}
10. "Akon Etim Eyakenyi". nigeriansenate.com. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
11. "I Feel Blessed, Says Senate Newbie Akon Eyakenyi". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
12. "Sen. Akon Eyakenyi - Akwa Ibom State Government". 30 July 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
13. "Akon Etim Eyakenyi". nigeriansenate.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
14. "Senate 2019: Akon Eyakenyi Declares Intention, Consults Frank Archibong". NetReporters. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
15. "Plot to Blackmail Former Minister Over Senate Ambition Uncovered". National News Track. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
16. Umo, Iniabasi; Uyo (26 October 2018). "A/Ibom: See list of Senatorial and HoR candidates". Daily Trust. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
17. "PDP Sen primaries: Akpan, Ekpene, Eyakenyi emerge flag bearers in A-Ibom". Vanguard News. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
18. "INEC declares PDP winner of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial seat". 25 February 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
19. Umo, Iniabasi; Uyo (25 February 2019). "INEC declares PDP winner in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District". Daily Trust. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
20. III, Admin (9 March 2024). "Harmonisation: FG fuses 10 maritime security groups into Nigerian coast guard". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 14 February 2025.