A’Ibom govt. Commissions 5 New Agro-Processing Mills in Esit Eket
Akwa Ibom State has recorded a major milestone in women-focused economic empowerment with the commissioning of five additional agro-processing mills in Esit Eket Local Government Area, expanding the Nigeria for Women Project to a total of 65 functional facilities across six local government areas of the state.
The newly inaugurated facilities four palm oil processing mills and one cassava (garri) processing centres, are part of a state-funded initiative implemented with support from the World Bank.
The project is designed to boost rural productivity, formalise women-led enterprises, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase household incomes through access to modern processing infrastructure.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony over the weekend, Governor Umo Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to women empowerment as a strategic pillar for sustainable and inclusive development.
She disclosed that the Nigeria for Women Project has so far delivered over 60 projects across six pilot local government areas spanning the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State, directly benefiting more than 73,000 women. Dr. Eyakenyi assured that the programme would be expanded to additional local government areas in line with the state government’s inclusive development agenda.
She urged beneficiaries to ensure proper management and ownership of the facilities, stressing that accountability and sustainability would attract further government and development partner interventions. She also called on youths and community members to safeguard the projects against vandalism to guarantee long-term benefits.
“These mills are designed to improve productivity and provide sustainable income for women engaged in agro-processing and small-scale enterprises,” the Deputy Governor said.
She added that the state government is facilitating access to private investors and off-takers to ensure ready markets for palm oil and garri processed at the facilities. She further disclosed that beneficiaries under the programme have received training in financial literacy, sanitation, and hygiene, while encouraging women to obtain their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to enable access to cooperative grants, formal banking services, and other government-backed empowerment opportunities.
Sensitising the women of Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Esit Eket Etinan, Etim Ekpo, Ika, local government areas on civic responsibilities, Dr. Eyakenyi announced that cooperative insurance schemes have been introduced to support men, women, and persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in establishing private businesses across the state.
She revealed that in the 2026 budget, ₦31 billion has been earmarked for local governments, with ₦1 billion allocated to each local government area for cooperative insurance funding targeting entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups.
She also highlighted ongoing development efforts in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, noting that 25 projects have been executed so far, including three road projects, eight compassionate homes, one model health centre, one model primary school, three renovated public primary schools, water projects, and various citizen empowerment initiatives. The Deputy Governor further announced a planned mega rally for women in Akwa Ibom State scheduled for March 7, 2026.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, commended Governor Umo Eno for prioritising women-centred development. She described the palm oil processing mills as a major relief for rural women, noting that the facilities would ease production processes, improve income generation, and enhance household economic stability. She urged beneficiaries to make optimal use of the opportunity to improve their livelihoods.
Programme data released at the event confirmed that over 73,000 women have benefited from the Nigeria for Women Project across the three senatorial districts of the state. The facilities are strategically distributed to reduce travel time, lower production costs, and improve access to modern processing equipment for rural women engaged in agro-based livelihoods.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, described the initiative as a shift from welfare-based interventions to asset-driven empowerment. She noted that the provision of productive infrastructure such as agro-processing mills equips women with long-term economic assets rather than short-term financial support.
The State Delivery Adviser for the programme, Dr. Ini Adiahakpan, confirmed that the newly commissioned facilities would further deepen women’s participation in economic development and strengthen cooperative-based enterprises across the state.
Community leaders from Esit Eket and neighbouring areas noted that the mills are already reducing dependence on manual processing methods while creating opportunities for private sector off-take of palm oil and garri products. Speaking on behalf of the host community, the Village Head of Ikpa Town, Chief Inwang Umo, expressed appreciation to the state government for its commitment to rural industrialisation and visible grassroots development.
The event also featured sensitisation sessions for women from Etinan, Esit Eket, Etim Ekpo, and Ika local government areas on civic responsibilities, financial inclusion, and cooperative development. Dignitaries at the event included commissioners, local government chairmen and their spouses, women leaders, political stakeholders, and community representatives, all of whom commended the administration’s grassroots-focused approach to development.
The Nigeria for Women Project aligns with Akwa Ibom State’s broader strategy to expand women-owned enterprises, attract private investment, enhance food security, and strengthen household incomes through inclusive economic growth. With 65 operational facilities and tens of thousands of women integrated into cooperative and financial systems, the initiative is emerging as one of the state’s largest data-backed interventions in rural women’s economic empowerment.
