Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced a major plan aimed at transforming rural economies through what he called a palm tree crop revolution. This initiative, revealed during the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, was highlighted as one of the most significant agricultural programmes the government intends to drive in the coming year. The Governor said the new focus on palm production would restore an industry that once shaped the financial strength of communities across the state.
Speaking while presenting the budget, Governor Eno described the initiative as a return to a resource that previously empowered generations. He explained that before the discovery of crude oil and gas, palm oil played a central role in supporting families, funding education, and building local wealth. According to him, the revival of this sector is designed to reconnect the state with its early economic roots while creating new opportunities for younger people and farmers. He emphasized that the government’s direct involvement in planting and supporting farmers would help build strong value chains.
In his words, “The palm tree crop revolution, which we plan to launch soon, will create a generational wealth for our people, especially those in the rural areas. Palm oil was our black gold – the commodity that had empowered our people, helped send some of our best and brightest sons and daughters to study abroad long before crude oil and gas were discovered. Through this revolution, government will actively get involved in palm tree planting and will eventually off-take from our farmers.”
The Governor stated that the programme aligns with his administration’s broader development plan and is part of the continued support already extended to thousands of farmers. He noted that the initiative would boost local production, reduce dependency on imported palm products, and strengthen the state’s economic base.
He added that with steady government off-take, smallholder farmers would have guaranteed markets for their produce, making the venture both sustainable and profitable.
Governor Eno linked the upcoming programme to wider gains recorded in the agricultural sector. He stated that the government’s interventions have already reached thousands of farmers across the state, saying, “As we speak, 69,107 (sixty-nine thousand one hundred and seven) farmers have benefited from our agricultural revolution; 13,060 registered farmers have benefited from Agric processing machines and equipment we have purchased for our farmers.” He noted that these achievements show the capacity of agriculture to expand rapidly when supported and added that the palm crop revolution will build directly on these successes to strengthen rural prosperity.
The Governor reaffirmed that this agricultural renewal remains a priority in the state’s long-term development agenda.
