Profile
Dr. (Mrs.) Akon Etim Eyakenyi is a Nigerian educator, and the current Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. She formerly served as the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Personal Life
Eyakenyi was born on February 24th, 1960 to the family of Chief & Mrs. Charley Uweh Isangedihi, in Mbokpu Eyo-Akan village, Urue-Offong/Oruko local government area of Akwa Ibom State. She is married to Engr. Etim Eyakenyi of Iquita village in Oron local government area, Akwa Ibom, and they have five children. She is a Christian, humanitarian, and philanthropist.
Education
| Name Of School | Qualification | Year |
| University of Calabar, Cross River State | Ph.D in Curriculum Education | 2014 |
| University of Calabar, Cross River State | Master of Education (M.Ed) | 2010 |
| University of Calabar, Cross River State | Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) | 1990 |
| University of Calabar, Cross River State | Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) | 1983-1986 |
| Methodist Teacher’s Training College, Oron, Akwa Ibom | Teachers Grade II Certificate (TC II) | 1974-1979 |
| Government Primary School, Uko-Uyukim, Oron, Akwa Ibom | First School Leaving Certificate | 1974 |
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board | Member | 1999-2000 |
| Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education | Education Officer | 1993-1999 |
| Oron Local Government Council | Supervisor of Education, Youths, Sports and Culture
President, Better Life Programme |
1991 |
| Cross River State Education Board | Mistress I & II | 1986-1993 |
Uncle Mo
Mbokpu Eyo-Akan village, Urue-Offong/Oruko LGA, Akwa Ibom State
February 24th, 1960
Akwa Ibom State
Peoples Democratic Party
Christianity
Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (2014-2015)
Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Akwa Ibom State
Senate Member, representing the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District (since 2019)
info@senatorakoneyakenyi.com
Political History
In 2000, following her success and contributions to the education sector, she was appointed as the Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Akwa Ibom State under the administration of Obong Victor Attah. During this time, she brought several hospitality investments to the state, a notable one being the Le Meridien Ibom Hotels & Golf Resort.
In 2013, during the second tenure of Godswill Akpabio’s regime, she was selected as the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Technical Schools Board. She served diligently in this capacity until her appointment as the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, in 2014, by President Goodluck Jonathan. Through this role, she effectively championed the need for affordable housing and sustainable urbanisation in Nigeria.
By June 2015, Eyakenyi was appointed into the Technical Committee on the Realisation of the Ibaka Deep Seaport; and in October 2016, she was made Chairman of the Governing Council of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua.
Eyakenyi declared her intentions to run for senate and represent Akwa Ibom South senatorial district. In October 2018, she won the People’s Democratic Party’s primary elections. Later on, she was elected into the Senate during the 2019 Nigerian general elections, claiming a total of 122,412 votes. Thus, on 25th February 2019, she emerged the winner and is currently serving as the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. Eyakenyi is also the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education.
She is now the candidate for the position of deputy governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election.
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- Paul Harris Fellow Recognition of Rotary International
- 2009 Award of Honour for Exemplary Life of Women Living Out of Their Dreams conferred by Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
- 2010 Excellence Award in Christian Service by Vision College and Seminary
- 2010 Award of Excellence by Beulah International Schools
- Rotary International Gold Service Award for Community Development and Women Empowerment by the Rotary Club of Calabar
- Couple of Honour Award by Women Aflame Magazine
Project
- Development of 10,000 housing units to meet the housing needs of Nigerians
- Completion and commissioning of over 3,500 abandoned housing projects across the nation
- Provision of free medical services to Oron local government, Akwa Ibom State
- Organisation of several skill acquisition trainings and empowerment programs for women and youths
- Donation of items to Eket constituents: tricycles, grinding machines, motorcycles, sewing machines, sets of snailery.
- Partnered with Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) to provide educational materials ranging from textbooks, exercise/graph books, furniture, office equipment, etc to 17 primary schools across the Eket senatorial district.
- Development of scholarship scheme, which covers undergraduate and master’s degree programs for qualified candidates of Eket senatorial district
Criticism/Controversy
- In July 2021, the Senate Committee on Basic Education, of which Eyakenyi is the Vice-Chairman, moved a motion to stop the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from admitting candidates below 18 years. According to her, age has a lot to do with learning ability, particularly in higher institutions. This motion received a lot of backlash on social media.
- In 2021, the people of Oron accused Eyakenyi of the relocation and name change of Ibaka Deep Seaport, against the interest of their community. The Ibaka Deep Seaport has been renamed “Ibom Deep Seaport” and was relocated from Ibaka, Oron to Ibeno local government.
