One year after his appointment as Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, veteran journalist and football administrator Paul Bassey is being credited with revitalising the state’s sporting sector through reforms, competitions, and infrastructure projects.
Bassey, a former CAF official, was nominated by Governor Umo Eno and confirmed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, officially taking office on February 24, 2025. He became the first commissioner of the newly created Ministry of Sports, which was carved out from the former Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.
Since assuming office, Bassey has overseen a wide range of activities, from grassroots competitions to upgrades in facilities and athlete welfare initiatives. One of the early highlights of his tenure was the successful hosting of the inaugural Niger Delta Games in 2025. The commissioner played a hands-on role in preparations, overseeing logistics, facility improvements, and strategic planning, helping Akwa Ibom deliver a historic first edition of the tournament.
Following the event, a review committee was established to assess Team Akwa Ibom’s performance and identify areas for improvement in future competitions. Bassey also revived the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, a grassroots programme that had been dormant for seven years. The festival returned in the last quarter of 2025 and has already become a platform for discovering new talent, with several emerging athletes starting to make an impact locally and beyond.
Athlete welfare has been another focus. Medalists from Akwa Ibom at the National Youth Games were rewarded on their return, boosting morale and demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting sportspeople.
Infrastructure development has also been a priority. In January 2026, the new ‘Ibom Gym’ facility at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo was officially opened, providing athletes across multiple disciplines with enhanced training and conditioning programmes. The ministry also distributed sports equipment to more than 40 sports associations, covering basketball, volleyball, tennis, athletics, judo, taekwondo, and boxing. Bassey credited Governor Eno for funding the initiative and noted that much of the equipment was sourced internationally to meet top standards.
On the competitive front, Team Akwa Ibom showed progress at the second Niger Delta Games, finishing fourth overall with 55 medals – 16 gold, 17 silver, and 22 bronze – behind Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
The ministry has also strengthened its administrative capacity by organising a three-day in-house training programme for staff, which received praise from the state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters.
Another significant development was the partnership between Akwa United F.C. and Ibom Air, providing improved travel logistics for away matches and boosting fan engagement and operational efficiency.
With further projects in the pipeline, including new sports facilities at ARISE Resort and renewed attention to the Ibom Sports Academy, the first year of Bassey’s tenure has laid a solid foundation for the continued growth of sports in Akwa Ibom State.
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