Akwa-Ibom State was created on the 23rd of September 1987 by the then Military Administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. The people who lived on the mainland of the former Cross River State were victorious in their long-term struggle with the state's creation.

The State is bounded on the East by Rivers State, West by Cross River State, North by Abia State and South by the Gulf of Guinea.

The State is bounded on the East by Rivers State, West by Cross River State, North by Abia State and South by the Gulf of Guinea.

Akwa Ibom is often described as a uni-cultural State where norms, taboos, customs and traditions are the same.

Akwa Ibom is currently the largest oil-producing state in Nigeria after displacing Rivers state with Ibeno, Mbo and Eastern Obolo as oil-producing LGAs.

The main economic activities of the people are fishing (for riverine and coastal dwellers), farming (primarily for upland dwellers), trading, artisanship and white-collar services. A sizeable share of the state's labour force is employed by the public sector.

Some tourist attractions in Akwa-Ibom are Ibeno Beach Eket, Lord Lugard's Residence, Ikot Abasi, National Museum, and Uyo. Ibibio Museum, Biodiversity Preservation Center Uyo, Oron Museum Oron, Itu Hills.