Tinubu appoints Usoro Akpabio as MD of South-South Commission

On May 8, 2025, President Bola Tinubu nominated Miss Usoro Offiong Akpabio as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the newly created South-South Development Commission (SSDC). Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.

Akpabio’s nomination positions her at the forefront of efforts to tackle the developmental and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta, a region long plagued by underdevelopment despite its oil wealth.

However, the announcement sparked public curiosity, largely due to her shared surname with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a political heavyweight and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State (2007–2015). While Usoro Akpabio’s name was relatively unknown in national politics until her recent nomination, reports suggest her family maintains close political ties with the Senate President. According to sources, her mother, Magdalene Akpabio, is a grassroots politician who has worked closely with the Senate President in recent years.

Background story

The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) is a newly established federal agency aimed at accelerating development in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone. It was created in response to the perceived failure of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to deliver on its mandate.

The SSDC was established through a bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) and signed into law by President Tinubu in March 2025. The commission is expected to address issues such as infrastructure deficit, environmental degradation, and youth unemployment in the oil-rich region.

What you should know about Usoro Akpabio?
Usoro Offiong Akpabio hails from Mbiaya Uruan in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. She belongs to the Ibibio ethnic group, whose people are predominantly found in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. They speak dialects of the Ibibio-Efik language, part of the Niger-Congo linguistic family.

There are conflicting reports regarding her date of birth. Some sources indicate that she was born on June 10, 1983, making her 42 years old. However, the Usoro Akpabio Educational Foundation Facebook page states she was born on June 5, 1980, which would make her 45 years old as of June 2025. Previous posts on the same page corroborate the 1980 birth date.

Is She Related to Senate President Godswill Akpabio?
Although both individuals are from Akwa Ibom State—Usoro from Uruan LGA and Godswill from Ukana Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim LGA—there is no confirmed evidence of a familial relationship between them. Nonetheless, political observers note the two families are allies, with reports suggesting that Usoro’s mother, Magdalene Akpabio, played a role in Godswill Akpabio’s political rise.

Who is Magdalene Akpabio?
Magdalene Akpabio, Usoro’s mother, is a former South-South PDP National Women Leader. She has been active in grassroots mobilisation and regional politics for over two decades, particularly in mobilising women during elections. Despite her past ties with opposition elements, her daughter’s appointment has drawn criticism from some All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Akwa Ibom, who question her political loyalty given her alleged support for Tinubu’s opponents in the 2023 presidential election.

Education and Career
Usoro Akpabio completed her primary and secondary education in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. She holds a degree in Political Science, although the details of her tertiary institution and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posting remain unclear.

She began her career as a policy analyst in a government ministry in Akwa Ibom State. Over the years, she has built a profile as a political strategist and community development advocate. Her early political involvement began with student union activism during her undergraduate days.

Through the Usoro Akpabio Educational Foundation, she has been active in grassroots mobilisation, educational support, and project execution across local communities.

Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Usoro Akpabio received the African Achievers Award in recognition of her impact in the fields of energy and education.

As she awaits confirmation by the National Assembly, many will be watching closely to see how Usoro Akpabio steers the SSDC in a region where previous agencies have failed to deliver lasting change.