Akwa Ibom State As An Emerging Tourists Choice Destination In Nigeria

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

The recently commissioned 21-storey Dakkada Towers by Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo and his official flag-off for the construction of Dakkada Luxury Estate along Airport Road, Uyo, is a loud testimony that the new Akwa Ibom State under His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, is leading a generational revolution for high level of infrastructure development and industrialization drive in the state.


The highly impressive signature project, 21-Storey Dakkada Towers, said to be occupied by multi-national companies operating in Nigeria, is a monumental edifice that has added a boost to the tourism potentials of the state given the prospective inflow of foreigners, who are coming to Akwa Ibom State for three major reasons: business, tourism and hospitality.

From above therefore, the potentials of the annual Akwa Ibom Christmas Village came into focus as tour operators from all over Nigeria and beyond had around June, 2021, converged at the prestigious and serene Ibom Icon Resort, at the historical Nwaniba Village, on the outskirts of Uyo for the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP).


The meeting, which brought together proven professionals in the tourism industry from within and outside Nigeria, we gathered, saw potentials unveiled, challenges x-rayed, new targets set, promises and assurances extracted, advice given, hopes kept alive, and dancing skills showcased in the African way.

In addition to the social conviviality and cultural diplomacy exchanged among the various visiting countries, places of interests were toured and diverse local cuisine enjoyed as the tour operators savoured the serene and beautiful environment of Akwa Ibom State; with relative peace and strong security architecture.


Many flourishing hotels in Akwa Ibom State with a toga of 5-star, provided a most friendly ambience and conducive atmosphere for intellectuals, the political class and captains of industry to visit for their business meetings, conferences and political retreats as the halls made available by these hotels for multi-purposes are of world class with state of the arts facilities.

With the new level of commitment, adopted new strategies, new approaches, new template, new zeal and unshakable determination by Governor Udom Emmanuel to reposition and boost the tourism sector in Akwa Ibom, the stage is now set for the Dakkada State to take over Africa’s tourism sector as its choice destination for tourists visiting Nigeria.


As a new visitor or tourist in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, the following hotels, their rates and locations should form part of your tourist destination decision making:

Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort – $60, Tropicana Hotel – $100, Cute Villa Hotel and Suites – $70, Albert Suites – $30, Kastrufid Apartments – $80, etc.

Other tourist sites are:

Discovery Park, Field Museum (Oron Museum), Amalgamation House, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

Explore the Uyo Nightlife, Ibom Plaza, Uyo, Tropicana Entertainment, Le Meridian Ibom Hotel, Presbyterian Church, Dog Meat Treat.


Uyo – ‘Land of Promise’, has a hive of packaged destination grooves featuring culture, outdoor activities, fine museums, attractions and miles of beaches.

Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, presents a picture of enchanting coastal, mangrove forests, beautiful sand beach resorts and other interesting places tourists can visit for relaxations. Whether an adventure seeker, movie lover, golfer, foodie, shopaholic or collector of random facts, you will find there are so many things to do while visiting Akwa Ibom State.


The positive narrative and trajectory of a booming tourism sector in Akwa Ibom State would not have been possible without a deep mention of the visionary leadership of the uncommon transformation by His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as then Governor of the state; as he laid the foundation for the Dakkada Towers Project, constructed many roads, bridges, schools, and other landmark projects before leaving office in 2015.


Imo State should redefine its tourism sector story for the better as this reporter moves to take a dispassionate and critical look at a number of the moribund tourist sites in the state.






– Njoku MacDonald Obinna

Media Consultant|PR-Expert,

Publisher, 4thestatereporters