Ibom-Air: Udom Emmanuel’s established vision, Umo Eno nurtures

By Emmanuel Nicholas

The idea of establishing a state-owned airline company originated from His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel.
But, without a capable successor who embraces this significant vision, it might have been left to wither away.

Though many initially viewed it as a potential avenue for political corruption, intended to drain the state’s finances.

However, perceptions began to shift on June 7, 2019, when a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft bearing the Ibom Air logo took off from Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, bound for Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with government officials on board. Despite this milestone, skepticism persisted among many observers.

Nevertheless, Deacon Udom Emmanuel and his team harboured a vision fueled by a profound desire to cultivate a future for Akwa Ibom State that was not reliant on federal allocations but instead self-sustaining and independent.

From the outset, Deacon Udom Emmanuel articulated a clear vision for Ibom Air, aspiring for it to evolve into a prominent Pan-African airline with ambitions to expand beyond the continent’s borders.

Their ultimate goal is to connect destinations throughout Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo and Casablanca, and eventually extend their reach to every country globally.

Drawing inspiration from Ethiopia Airlines, which plays a significant role in that country’s economy, the vision for Ibom Air is to become a vital economic pillar for Akwa Ibom State.

The aim of Udom Emmanuel is for Ibom Air to be a major plank of the state government’s economic strategy to diversify the state’s economy and move it from government-dependent to private sector-led

In addition to passenger services, Ibom Air will also offer cargo services to facilitate the global distribution of goods for business owners.

A highly promising Nigerian airline, Ibom Air, initiated its plans to expand its services to African destinations, starting with its inaugural flight from Lagos to Accra touched down on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.a major and profitable route in West Africa.

Many industry analysts point out that Ibom Air has challenged prevailing industry assumptions. It has demonstrated that governments in Nigeria can operate successful businesses and uphold corporate governance practices, contrary to common beliefs.

While this holds true, the Akwa Ibom government, the sole owner of the airline, has made a significant statement by showing that a government can effectively manage a sustainable business venture in Nigeria.

The Akwa Ibom State Government is fostering economic growth by not only investing in Ibom Air but also in sectors like oil, gas, and other industries.

His Excellency Deacon Udom Emmanuel was implementing well-thought-out models to secure a prosperous future for Akwa Ibom State, aiming for a state that is self-reliant and not dependent on Nigeria’s national finances Alone.

The Airline Commencement of regional routes has garnered remarkable enthusiasm and excitement from Ghanaian authorities, Nigerians in Ghana, and Africans in general for what is considered the most beautiful airline.

In April 2023, Ibom Air achieved the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certificate, a globally recognized benchmark for airline safety.

This milestone further reinforced Ibom Air’s dedication to safe operations, leading to its official membership with IATA in August 2023 and the rapid transformation of the airline into a global brand.

The Akwa Ibom State-owned Ibom Air is establishing a strong presence in the African market as a well-managed Nigerian airline experiencing profitable growth.

With plans for 10 Airbus A220s to join the fleet soon — one already received and another inspected by Governor Umo Bassey Eno – the vision of Deacon Udom Emmanuel to create a global airline is swiftly becoming a reality. .

Ibom Air has transported 2.5 million passengers by July 2023, operated 35,000 scheduled flights without incident through the end of August 2023, and maintained the highest schedule reliability and on-time performance in the nation.

The airline also attained IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification in March 2023, solidifying its position as the top airline in Nigeria.

Deacon Udom Emmanuel, a corporate government expert, envisioned the selection of the Airbus A220-300, which has a seating capacity ranging from 130 to 160 passengers and promises greater profitability.

He finalized the acquisition of ten of these aircraft at the Dubai Air Show in 2021.

Given the considerable lead time required to receive the new A220s, IbomAir will be able to expand its flight operations to additional routes in Africa and Nigeria.

The first brand-new Airbus A220-300 for Ibom Air landed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on December 8, 2023, and the second was inspected by Governor Umo Eno and IbomAir management, and it is expected in Nigeria this month.

A successful leader must have a well-thought-out succession plan in place to ensure continuity and long-term success for the Government.

Without a successful succession plan, a leader’s legacy and achievements may be at risk.

A leader without a capable successor who shares their vision and values may inadvertently harm the foundation they worked hard to build.

Therefore, the ability to identify, develop, and groom future leaders who can effectively carry on the Government’s mission is a critical aspect of leadership success.

With God’s assistance, Deacon Udom Emmanuel was able to recognize Pastor Umo Eno as a competent successor, even though many initially viewed him as unqualified.

His leadership records as the governor of Akwa Ibom State provided clear evidence of his capabilities.

Governor Umo Eno has been actively pursuing the goal of establishing IbomAir as a recognized global brand by investing millions of dollars to secure the contract for 10 aircraft.

Furthermore , he is overseeing the expansion of the Victor Attah International Airport by completing a new runway, an international terminal building, and installing advanced technical equipment to enhance aircraft landing efficiency.

After his successor completes the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, Governor Umo Eno is playing a crucial role in ensuring the success of the project.

Running a successful MRO workshop requires securing contracts with airline manufacturers, establishing maintenance agreements with airline operators, and having skilled professionals trained across various aviation sectors.

The State under Governor Umo Eno has invested over N1.2 billion in training indigenous engineers and pilots in partnership with aircraft manufacturer Airbus, aiming to enhance the capacity and performance of the state-owned airline and MRO operations.

Governor Umo Eno’s dedication to realizing the vision of Ibom Air becoming a key economic asset for Akwa Ibom State is evident in these initiatives.

Moreover, Ibom Air’s consistent excellence has been recognized as it was awarded “The Best Airline of the Year” for the third consecutive year at the prestigious African Travel Quarterly Travelers Award ceremony in 2024, acknowledging its outstanding performance as a domestic airline and significant contribution to the aviation industry.

Deacon Udom Emmanuel laid the foundation, and Governor Umo Bassey Eno is nurturing it to ensure that future generations of Akwa Ibom State can benefit from the dividends of these strategic investments.