The Akwa Ibom State Government has set aside N26.91 billion to renovate, furnish, and upgrade the electrical and mechanical facilities at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo from 2025 to 2026.
This budget announcement comes after the state government revealed the hotel will temporarily close starting 22 August. This closure will allow for the completion of ongoing renovations and a shift to a new management company.
The government shared the closure details on Saturday through a public notice signed by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, and the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Anieti Udofia.
Ibom Hotel, built about 19 years ago by former governor Victor Attah, is a key tourism asset for the state. Renovation work has been ongoing since March 2025.
Despite the huge amount budgeted for the project, the government has not shared how much the total renovation will cost, how much has already been spent, who the contractor is, or when the work is expected to finish.
Budget Breakdown
A look at Akwa Ibom State’s 2026 approved budget and 2025 revised budget shows the state allocated N10 billion in 2025 for the "Refurbishing and Furnishing of Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort". It also allocated N6 billion that same year for the "Renovation of Electrical and Mechanical Facilities of Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort".
These two allocations sum up to N16 billion for the hotel's renovation in 2025. In the 2026 budget, the government reduced the allocation for refurbishing and furnishing the hotel to N7.32 billion. They added N3.59 billion for electrical and mechanical renovations.
Together, these two amounts to N10.91 billion in 2026. So, when you combine the 2025 and 2026 budgets, the state plans to spend N26.91 billion for the hotel’s rehabilitation.
It is still unclear how much of the N16 billion for 2025 was actually released and spent before the additional N10.91 billion in 2026. Since the first quarter of 2025, the Akwa Ibom State Government has not published detailed reports on budget performance or capital expenses.
A report has indicated that under Governor Umo Eno’s leadership, Akwa Ibom has become less transparent about its finances.
Full Closure
Initially, the government planned a phased renovation approach. This allowed the hotel to keep operating while some areas were closed for repairs. They had shut down 40 of the hotel’s 163 rooms and seven chalets for renovations.
But in the latest update, the government announced that the entire hotel will stop operations from 22 August. "This is part of the ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation and renewal of Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort," the government stated. They added that the closure will help complete renovation works faster and implement a new operational framework.
The golf course will remain open during this time. The government said the course is well-maintained and ready for players and visitors.
Who is Supervising the Project?
Even though the renovation projects are under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Charles Udoh, a former commissioner, is supervising the work. He currently advises Governor Eno on hospitality infrastructure.
Renovation started in March 2025. Yet, the state government has not shared a complete project document that shows the total cost, timeline, contractor, milestones, or expected completion date.
The lack of available details makes it hard to understand how the N26.91 billion budget connects to the actual renovation costs and how much has been spent so far.
Government Changes Hotel Management
The closure will also mean a change in the management of the state-owned hotel. The government announced that management of Ibom Hospitality Limited will be handed over to ALEPH Hospitality, an international hospitality management company, starting 22 August.
The government aims to bring in "global best practices", improve service quality, and enhance the performance of the state’s hospitality assets. This decision comes after over 18 years without major changes at the hotel.
They assured that no current employee would be laid off just because of the management change. However, some may opt not to continue with the new management, and others may not have the skills required. The government said those workers could be considered for other jobs within the state's hospitality sector, like at the ARISE Palm Resort when it opens.
During the closure, a team will stay at the hotel to support the renovations, protect the property, and ensure maintenance, according to the government.
The government described this renovation and management change as part of its strategy to boost Akwa Ibom’s hospitality sector and make the state a key destination for tourism and business.
But the large budget of N26.91 billion over two years raises questions about actual spending on the project, the renovation status, and when the hotel will reopen. The government did not provide those details in Saturday’s announcement.
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