A/Ibom Launches Palm Oil Economy, Distributes 40,000 Free Seedlings

With the prevailing socio-economic challenges in the country, Akwa Ibom State Government has taken a major step towards the diversification of the crude oil – dependent economy to embrace palm oil as agriculture is currently galvanised to become the the mainstay.

Towards this end, the governor has intensified the implementation of its Oil Palm Tree Crop Revolution (OPTCR) programme with the distribution of 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,” according to government.

The distribution, coordinated by the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee, saw 20,000 improved seedlings allocated to each of the two pilot LGAs.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the committee’s first stop was Afaha Offiong, the headquarters of Nsit Ibom LGA, where the Committee, 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 councils would unlock significant opportunities in job creation, agro-industrial development and revenue generation.

Chairman of the Council, Hon. Otobong Aaron, commended Governor Umo Eno, for translating his agricultural vision into action and pledged the Council’s full support for the successful implementation of the programme.

The Committee later berth at Abat, headquarters of Onna LGA, where the Council Chairman, Hon. Kufre Umoren, received the delegation alongside council officials and farmers. He praised Governor 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 chairman, representatives of the paramount rulers and other government officials.

The governor had 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.