Umo Eno revokes illegal land titles at Tropicana layout, restoring Akwa Ibom’s tourism master plan and warning encroachers against misuse of public land
Umo Eno revokes illegal land titles in a bold move to reclaim government property and revive Akwa Ibom State’s long-standing tourism vision.
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The state governor made the declaration on Tuesday during an inspection of the proposed site for the ARISE Shopping City in Uyo.
Governor Eno ordered the revocation of all unauthorised land entitlements within the Tropicana layout, citing widespread encroachment and deviation from the original master plan.
“Even though the land has not been put to use for years, there has been so much encroachment,” he told Government House Correspondents.
“That is why I came in here and revoked every title and activity that was happening here different from the original master plan.”
The governor’s decisive action marks a renewed commitment to transform the area into a world-class tourism hub, integrating luxury hospitality, retail, and entertainment facilities.
He stated that the ARISE Shopping City is part of a larger vision to complement the previously abandoned Ibom International Convention Centre and Ibom International Hotel, both of which are now being revived under his administration.
“We are trying to create a tourism ecosystem for the State,” Eno said. “We’ve been blessed by previous administrations to have laid this foundation, and we are building on this to better our State.”
The ARISE Shopping City, with a 12-month construction timeline, is designed to host international brands, offering tourists a seamless blend of retail, relaxation, and accommodation in one location.
“So instead of going to all those big places where tickets are very expensive, you can get them all here, same quality, same top brands. That is what the ARISE Shopping City connotes,” he explained.
Governor Eno further clarified that the broader strategy will stretch beyond Uyo to other parts of the state including Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, and Oron, integrating culture, heritage, agriculture, medical tourism, and aviation into a comprehensive tourism master plan.
“This is our strong point. We are building tourism across the state—not just one location. Whether it’s medical or cultural tourism, we’re putting it together into a proper Master Plan,” he added.
The governor warned that land encroachment, especially on government-designated development sites, would not be tolerated going forward.
“It is against this backdrop that we are building on. We will not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to disrupt the peace and harmony of Akwa Ibom State,” he warned.
With a solid road network and one of Nigeria’s most peaceful environments, Akwa Ibom is positioning itself as the next major destination for tourism investment and premium urban development in the Niger Delta.
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The revocation of illegal land titles is seen not just as a clean-up, but as a powerful recommitment to transparency, long-term planning, and public accountability.
