Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has revealed that he earned a minimum of ₦10 million monthly from a venture selling akara and bread before transitioning into politics. The governor shared this disclosure to encourage young people to embrace entrepreneurship and hard work as viable paths to financial independence.
Speaking on his pre-political life, the governor detailed how his commitment to a seemingly simple trade—the sale of bean cakes (akara) and bread—yielded significant financial returns. He asserted that the scale of the operation allowed him to generate substantial revenue, contradicting the notion that only white-collar jobs or high-tech industries lead to wealth.
The disclosure, shared as part of his account of his life before politics, serves as a call to action for the youth of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at large to explore the potential of the informal sector.
Entrepreneurship and political transition
Pastor Umo Eno, who ascended to the governorship after serving in various local government capacities, noted that his business experience provided him with a practical understanding of the challenges facing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state. He argued that the discipline required to manage a high-turnover food business is applicable to public administration.
The governor’s claim comes at a time when the Nigerian economy is grappling with high inflation and unemployment, particularly among the youth. By highlighting his success in a street-food business, Eno is positioning the informal economy as a legitimate engine for wealth creation.
Within Akwa Ibom, the administration has focused on diversifying the state’s economy away from total reliance on oil. This includes investments in agriculture and the support of local traders, aiming to create an environment where small-scale businesses can scale into multi-million naira enterprises.
Observers note that such disclosures are often used by political leaders to build a “man of the people” image, bridging the gap between the governing elite and the working class. However, the specific figure of ₦10 million monthly from akara and bread indicates a level of commercial scaling—likely involving wholesale distribution or multiple retail points—rather than a single roadside stand.
The governor’s current administration continues to oversee the implementation of the ARISE Agenda, which seeks to transform Akwa Ibom into an industrial hub. A key component of this plan involves the empowerment of local entrepreneurs and the improvement of infrastructure to facilitate trade.
The state government is expected to release further details on its SME support grants and credit facilities for small-scale traders in the coming quarter.
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