Akwa Ibom's Emer Ok School in Ruins Amid Oil Wealth

The Emer Ok Kingdom in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, faces severe neglect, particularly in education. The only public primary school, serving five villages, is in a dilapidated state with three classroom blocks that have rusted roofs and missing windows and doors.

Students often sit on the bare floor due to a lack of usable seats. The community struggles with access to clean water, relying on polluted streams, which raises health concerns.

Health facilities are also inadequate, lacking beds and essential medical equipment. Despite the area being a significant oil-producing region, the 2026 budget does not allocate funds for educational or healthcare improvements.

Governor Umo Eno's administration, which derives a large portion of revenue from oil, has not addressed the urgent needs of the community. Uduak Odudoh, a member of the House of Representatives, has proposed a project to construct a secondary school, with completion expected in 2025, but immediate needs remain unaddressed.