Akon Eyakenyi
Akon Etim Eyakenyi is a Nigerian politician, serving as the current Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State. She served as the senator for Akwa Ibom South from 2019 to 2023. Before being elected to the senate, she was the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan.
Early life and education
Eyakenyi was born in 1960 into the family of Chief Uweh Isangedihi in Urue-Offong/Oruko local government area in Akwa Ibom State. In 1968 she attended Government Primary School, Uko Uyokim where she finished with her First School Leaving Certificate in 1974. In 1974 she enrolled into the Methodist Teacher's Training College in Oron and graduated with Teachers Grade II Certificate in 1979.In 1983, Eyakenyi enrolled at the University of Calabar and earned a Nigerian Certificate in Education in 1986. In 1990, she obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calabar. She later earned a Master of Education in 2010 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Education in 2014.
Career
Eyakenyi began her career as a teacher when she was appointed Mistress I & II by the Cross River State Education Board, where she served from 1986 to 1993. In 1991, while serving as a teacher, she was appointed Supervisor for Education, Youths, Sports and Culture in Oron. Subsequently, she served in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education from 1993 to 1999 as an education officer. In 1999, she was appointed to serve on the Akwa Ibom State Education Board.In 2000, she was appointed Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Akwa Ibom State during the regime of Victor Attah. In 2013, she was appointed by Godswill Akpabio as chairman of Akwa Ibom State Technical Schools Board. She served as chairman of the board until her appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in 2014.