Ibom Air Akwa United sponsorship worth ₦200m boosts sports development and strengthens private sector support in Akwa Ibom State

Ibom Air Akwa United sponsorship worth ₦200 million has been officially sealed, marking a new chapter in sports and community development in Akwa Ibom State.

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The deal positions the state-owned airline as the official sponsor of Akwa United Football Club for the next two years.

The agreement, signed on 23rd October at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, will see Ibom Air provide both financial and in-kind support, with half of the sponsorship value delivered through services and logistics.

Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, said the partnership demonstrates the airline’s dedication to community growth through sports, health, and education.

He emphasised that supporting Akwa United aligns with the company’s vision of inspiring young people and fostering unity across the state.

“Akwa United is a team with a proud history currently in a rebuilding phase,” Uriesi noted. “We want to support their resurgence and help them return to the top of Nigerian football. This partnership reflects our belief in the power of sports to unite our state.”

Chairman of Akwa United FC, Mr Joseph Eno, described the sponsorship as timely and morale-boosting, especially as the club seeks to regain its competitive edge.

He remarked that wearing the Ibom Air brand would remind players and staff of their duty to represent excellence.

Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, lauded the collaboration as a fulfilment of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which promotes private sector involvement in sports.

He called it “a dream come true” and a model for future partnerships.

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of Akwa United’s new jersey emblazoned with the Ibom Air logo and the inauguration of working committees to manage the collaboration.

Founded in 1997, Akwa United—winners of the 2021 Nigeria Premier Football League and two-time FA Cup champions—remains one of the state’s most successful sporting institutions.

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This powerful partnership is expected to boost the club’s financial stability, improve player welfare, and elevate its performance both nationally and continentally.