Pastor Umo Bassey Eno
● Currently in Office📅 Tenure in Office
Pastor Umo Bassey Eno has been serving as governor of akwa ibom state of Akwa Ibom State since May 29, 2023, under the APC Party.
👤 About Pastor Umo Bassey Eno
Umo Bassey Eno was born on 24 April 1964 in Nsit-Ubium, Akwa Ibom State. He studied at the University of Uyo and built a career in business, working at Union Bank and Bertola Machine Tools Nigeria Limited before becoming Chief Executive Officer of Norman Holdings Limited. He later founded Royalty Groups, his own business conglomerate.
In 2021 he was appointed Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources by Governor Udom Emmanuel, resigning the following year to contest the 2023 gubernatorial election. He won the PDP's hotly contested primary in May 2022 and went on to win the general election on 18 March 2023 with over 354,000 votes (55%), defeating YPP candidate Senator Bassey Albert Akpan. He was sworn in on 29 May 2023.
On 6 June 2025, following what he described as three months of wide consultation, Eno formally defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress at a ceremony at Government House, Uyo, attended by several APC governors and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He cited the desire to align Akwa Ibom with the federal government for developmental benefit. The defection was followed by a mass movement of state officials, lawmakers and party structures from PDP to APC across the state.
📋 Personal Information
| Full name | Pastor Umo Bassey Eno |
| Title / Role | Governor of Akwa Ibom State |
| State | Akwa Ibom State |
| Party | APC |
| Date of birth | April 24, 1964 (62 years old) |
| Education | University of Uyo |
| In office since | May 29, 2023 |
| Geopolitical zone | SS |
🏆 Key Achievements
Elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2023 with over 354,000 votes (55%), succeeding Udom Emmanuel. Defected from the PDP to the APC on 6 June 2025, ending Akwa Ibom's status as a longtime PDP stronghold. Former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources (2021–2022) under Governor Udom Emmanuel. Career businessman; founder of Royalty Groups.
🏛 Role of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State is the chief executive and head of government of the state. Under the Nigerian Constitution, the governor is elected by popular vote for a four-year term, renewable once. The governor heads the state executive council, assents to bills passed by the State House of Assembly, and directs the allocation of the state's budget and resources.
Akwa Ibom State is part of the SS geopolitical zone, with Uyo as its capital. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno currently serves as governor since May 29, 2023.