The Akwa Ibom State Government has intensified the implementation of its Oil Palm Tree Crop Revolution, distributing 40,000 improved oil palm seedlings to farmers in Nsit Ibom and Onna Local Government Areas as part of efforts to restore the state’s leadership in Nigeria’s palm oil industry.
The distribution, coordinated on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, by the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee, saw 20,000 improved seedlings allocated to each of the two local government areas, further advancing Governor Umo Eno’s agricultural transformation agenda.
‼️The committee’s first stop was Afaha Offiong, the headquarters of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, where its Chairman, Prof. Okon Ansa, supervised the symbolic distribution of 5,000 seedlings to farmers and led the ceremonial planting of oil palm seedlings within the Council Secretariat.
Addressing council officials, traditional rulers, farmers and other stakeholders, Prof. Ansa said the initiative underscores Governor Umo Eno’s unwavering commitment to food security, sustainable livelihoods and long-term wealth creation. He urged residents to embrace the Tree Crop Revolution Programme, noting that large-scale oil palm cultivation across the state’s 31 local government areas would unlock significant opportunities in job creation, agro-industrial development and revenue generation.
Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Hon. Otobong Aaron, commended Governor Eno for translating his agricultural vision into action and pledged the council’s full support for the successful implementation of the programme. Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ibom, Edidem Manasseh Akpan, represented by Etteidung Udeme Nna; the immediate past Provost of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Prof. Daniel Udo; representatives of farmers’ groups; and other stakeholders.
The committee later proceeded to Abat, headquarters of Onna Local Government Area, where the Council Chairman, Hon. Kufre Umoren, received the delegation alongside council officials and farmers. He praised Governor Umo Eno’s sustained investment in agriculture, describing the Oil Palm Revolution as a strategic initiative that will stimulate economic growth, create employment and improve rural livelihoods.
A major highlight of the exercise was the symbolic presentation of improved oil palm seedlings to farmers and the commemorative planting of seedlings by the council chairmen, representatives of the paramount rulers and other government officials.
It would be recalled that the Governor officially launched the State’s Tree Crop Revolution, on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at the premises of the Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) in Uyo.
The launch marked the commencement of the distribution of 620,000 improved oil palm seedlings to farmers across the 31 local government areas of the State as part of the Agricultural Revolution component of the ARISE Agenda.
Other members of the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee who participated in the exercise included Prof. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ebukiba, Amb. Alphonsios Inyang, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agribusiness, Pastor Godwin Ukwat, and the Project Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Project (AKADEP), Mr. Emah Ekanem, who is providing technical support to the committee.
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