OBONG (BARR) NKEREUWEM UDOFIA AKPAN: (1970 - )
NIGERIAN HISTORICAL COMMENTATOR, CONSULTANT, AUTHOR, LAWYER, SOCIAL CRUSADER, TRADITIONAL RULER AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

Chief (Barr.) Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan graduated from the prestigious Dr. line Umanah Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, Nigeria in October 1998 and thereafter proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja for the mandatory one year professional training for the “Call to Bar”. After completion of the programme and success at the Bar Finals, he plunged headlong into private legal practice in Abuja- his most cherished life long ambition. A direct descendant of His Majesty, Obong Udo Adiaha Ikot Oku, the legendary warrior-king, conqueror and merchant of the Ibiono Ibom people in Akwa Ibom State, in the Niger delta area of Nigeria. A King credited with colossal feats in Ibibio folklore as a renowned merchant and the very first who rode a horse in the region; swam across the river Cross at a village called Ikot Offiong while fleeing from the advancing British troops from Calabar. Legend has it that he received the Scottish Missionary Mary Slessor in audience and was the very first to read the Bible she had offered him as a gift. He is also reputed to have kept a thousand war canoes and equal number of fishing boats in the creeks and estuary of the river cross.( A record surpassed at the time perhaps by only two of his contemporaries in the region: King Jaja of Opobo and Nana the- Itsekiri Chief)

Nkereuwem Akpan’s flair for the arts was simply irrepressible. A painter, sculptor, designer, graphic- artist, dancer, drummer and flutist of phenomenal talent who had excelled in these areas right from kindergarten at the highbrow Christ The King school, Uyo- an exclusive day care and nursery at the time. Young Nkereuwem Akpan apparently sold-out himself to all staff as a child prodigy, especially his headmaster who strolled into the family home one evening and announced to the parents that the chap will do well as a lawyer, teacher or newscaster and should be encouraged to pursue any of the three careers.

His beloved parents: Chief Udofla Akpan Udoh, of Ibiaku Ikot Oku, himself a strict disciplinarian and middle class scholar and Princess Affiong Udofia Akpan (Nee Ekong)- Ex beauty queen, singer, dancer, designer and accomplished athlete who attained fame at the Empire Games of post independent Nigeria and scion of the ruling house of Nung Udoh Ewah in Ikot Inyang, Utit Obio clan also in Ibiono-Ibom strongly opposed the headmaster ostensibly because they had other plans for the lad. Together, these two not only spared no expenses in providing the boy the best academic beginnings there was in post civil-war Nigeria but groomed the boy in the sciences with a view to choosing for him a career in medicine and surgery. However, the boy seemed to be headed for a different discipline altogether. Needless to say that both parents were profoundly dismayed on account of the young lad apparently veering off course.

This gifted artist, writer and poet actually blossomed at about the age of nine churning-out kiddies plays, songs and poems during his days at Ibiono High School, Edem-Urua- where he held fort, at that tender age- as leader of the prestigious Literary, Debating and Dramatic Society of that institution. As he himself admits recently in an interview, this role, more than anything else that he could recall tremendously helped, more than anything else, to mould, sharpen and polish his writing, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and above all, oratory prowess- just the requisite foundation for a career in the legal profession! Nkereuwem Akpan’s love for lawyers and indeed the legal profession as a whole was influenced albeit unwittingly by his beloved father whose clique of friends and associates were mainly lawyers and soldiers. Hear him:

My father had two set of friend/admirers. They were either lawyers or soldiers I cannot recall any who were neither of these: Justice Sir Egbert Udo Udoma (ex Supreme Court Justice, Chief Justice and later Governor General of Uganda);Justice Edem Koofreh (ex Chief Judge of Cross River State), Justice Hanson Inem (reputable scholar and jurist); Barrister Raphael Nana Akpan(Distinguished solicitor and ex Chairman of the Akwa-Ibom State Election Petition Tribunal);Colonel Philip Effiong (accomplished soldier, minister of defence, deputy Supreme Commander and later defacto Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of defunct Republic of Biafra); Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi, Oxford graduate Author, distinguished soldier, pioneer Military Governor of the former Eastern Region, Supreme Commander and Head of State of defunct Biafra);Maj-Gen Lawrence Onoja( ex military Governor of Plateau and Katsina States, GOC NA at Jos Division and Principal Staff Officer General Staff Head Quarters) Christopher Okigbo (Author, poet, soldier) ;Chief Ntienyong Udo Akpan OFR (Author, politician ,ex Secretary to Government of Biafra) and Brigadier-General Udokaha Jacob Esuene (Pilot, politician and first Military Governor of the then South Eastern State, to name but a few. So I made up my mind to venture into either of these professions

A glance at his track record in the various institutions of learning he has attended lends much impetus to the popular assertion that leaders are born not made. Nkereuwem Akpan has not merely been a key player in student unionism but has made remarkable contributions that have indeed reshaped the face of student unionism in those institutions and as one student pointed out it was impossible for any one staff or student not to know him personally- even the then Vice Chancellor use to refer to him as “Agboola the law” Indeed he was a celebrity on campus even as he made phenomenal strides in about every sphere of life and touched the lives of the studentry positively in a myriad of ways: He single handedly resuscitated lme Umanah Chambers from oblivion and built it into the most vibrant and cohesive chambers in that school till date; set-up an irrepressible Bulletin christened Trail -Blazers Herald; was a regular columnist in about every press outfit on campus; was an Award winning newscaster with the campus radio studio Voice of Aluta where he was on air at 9 pm every Wednesday, presenting the talk show radio programme “You and the law.”

A charismatic students activist, human rights crusader and union leader, who at sometime held multiple positions of influence. He held the very highly revered position of Traditional Prime Minister “ABAI” (meaning strong pillar) of the much respected Ibibio Students Union- a position first occupied by the legendary jurist and legal philosopher, Justice Udo Udoma. He was President-General of the World-Wide Association of Ibiono-Ibom Students, Executive Chairman Committee of Worldwide Presidents in Akwa-Ibom State from 1996-98, member committee of elders and elders forum in NAAKISS. In fact Akwa-Ibom State students in tertiary institutions globally readily recall with nostalgia his exploits during some of the most critical periods of the 1990s: the brutal repression of the military era during which period the umbrella body styled National Association of Akwa-Ibom State Students (NAAKISS) was forced to operate underground; the bloody cult conflicts, mayhem and anarchy of the early 1990s; the long periods of strike action by teachers and the “Lassisi must- go” crises that rocked the University of Uyo all during the period. It redounds to the credit of this true son of the soil that these conflicts were effectively managed and resolved with minimal casualties.


A classical illustration of crises situations where his masterly strokes of wisdom was delivered was during the NAAKISS crises of 1997-98. During the period, about a dozen electoral committees were set up to conduct elections into the executive council of the Association but none could withstand the power plays, intrigues, intimidation and campaign of calumny perpetrated by those agent provocateurs who were planted for the sole purpose of sowing seeds of discord within the Association itself and a combination of other forces with vested selfish interest that wanted the student’s body either to be out-rightly proscribed, commandeered by political groups to settle private grudges, rig ballots, assassinate opponents or engage the impoverished studentry as political touts and praise singers. Nkereuwem Akpan was unanimously appointed electoral board chairman and called upon to conduct the elections within 14 days - it was a make or mar situation: failure was out of the question.

This illustrious son of the soil not only met that set dateline but conducted what the press and independent observers agreed was the freest and fairest elections in the history of NAAKISS. At the inauguration of the newly elected executive council, amidst pomp and pageantry he went ahead and delivered a heart rendering speech titled “Detribalization of NAAKISS” a speech that moved everyone present at the occasion to tears. Everyone, his opponents inclusive, agree, that the Association owes its existence today solely to the heroic feats of this illustrious leader whom the students thereafter affectionately installed as the “OKU IBOM” meaning mighty or all-conquering priest.


This tactful and shrewd negotiator, amiable conciliator, indefatigable mobilizer dependable organizer and perpendicular administrator was always on hand during critical crises periods to mount the podium to diffuse mounting tension and salvage otherwise hopeless situations. An admirable, hugely disciplined, and impeccable personality who works tirelessly for the achievement of set targets, Nkereuwem Akpan is a leader with clear vision, enviable managerial acumen and an achiever par excellence. His splendid interpersonal humorous demeanor conceals an iron will and sometimes can move his audience to adopt his mood swings when desired. He was the one to address crowds at crucial periods where he can metamorphose from a calm, cool, calculated, unruffled mien into a stormy petrel, firebrand and enfant terrible in split seconds. On the field of soccer, fans nick named him “Agboola” as he was a dependable right full-back with the looks and non aggressive style of play reminiscence of an ex Nigerian international of same name. He did not stop there but went ahead, founded, sponsored and coached a female soccer team in the University named Agboola Babes FC to inter faculty soccer tourneys. Chief Akpan is seen standing first left back row with the female team in the picture above before a match. Even as a mere third level student at the University, this workaholic was always organizing discussion classes and moot court sessions for the junior students. He actively encouraged hundreds of students from other faculties to seek transfer to the faculty of law. Chief Akpan is seen standing, third from left back row, with the male team in the picture


As solicitor and advocate of the students Union High Court, Chief Akpan was always engaged in litigation and advocacy in those courts right from his first year in the university. He was also the one usually called upon to conduct swearing– in ceremonies of any elected students representatives at every level- whether at the departmental level or with regards to professional or ethnic Associations. In the picture above left he conduct an induction into Ime Umanah Chambers while to the right Chief Akpan is seen at the inaugurations of students union executives at the Faculty of Business Administration, University of Uyo in 1997/98 session. Right Chief Akpan with friends at Law School and relaxing during NYSC orientation.

All these won him precious admiration, goodwill and endeared him to these students most of whom adopted him as their role model, hero and source of inspiration He was nominated for and received numerous Awards of Excellence from hundreds of organizations and from almost every Student Association on campus.

It was therefore not surprising that the entire faculty of law rose in unison and applauded his meritorious selection and investiture with the most prestigious and most sought-after award in law faculties through out the world - the Best Prize in Advocacy at the 1998 Law Dinner and Awards Night. Chief Nkereuwem Akpan received a thunderous standing ovation from an appreciative crowd in the entire hall. That was the very first time in the history of the university such an award was conferred on any body. This unanimous show of appreciation from the crowd becomes better appreciated when considered against the backdrop of the fact that it came in a night most other awards were mired in controversy and their recipients disparaged and booed all the way to the podium to the consternation of distinguished invited guests , the press and the hapless awardees.

He has conducted researches, written articles, attended conferences and seminars nationally and internationally, where he presented papers and discussed those written by others on a wide spectrum of topics spanning about every sphere of law. In early 1998, his very pioneering research efforts in natural gas legislation culminated in the publication of his paper titled Natural gas ownership: the true position of the law in Nigeria- the paper, not only received rave reviews in the press but was also celebrated by major players and experts in the energy sector. From 1st- 21st November 2003, he attended a seminar on the theme: “Contracting and contract management” at the Royal Institute of Public Administration (RIPA) 17, Rochester Row, Westminster, London, United Kingdom. At RIPA, he was awarded a specially designed neck-tie embossed with the union jack- specially presented by none other person than the distinguished British scholar, Ron Mountford, in his capacity as Director of studies RIPA.

His writings- whether books, articles, researches and case reviews, are masterly conceived, minutely analyzed and incisively executed, are any learned commentator’s delight. His critique of Nafiu Rabiu v The State (1980, 8-11 SC p 130)- although primarily occupied with the opinion of Sir Udoma is considered by many as rather ambitious and enlightening so to speak. At the public presentation of his book on Justice Alfa Belgore in 2005, Professor Epiphany Azinge, Seniour Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Director of Studies, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) said inter alia “

In 2004 he was a member of the Nigerian delegation to the First international Conference on Finance and Economic Crimes held in Hammersmith, London United Kingdom and in 2006 he attended a Course on Foreign Investments Agreements & Investor State dispute settlement mechanism organized by the International Law Institute in Washington DC in conjunction with Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.

Chief Nkereuwem Akpan was a founding Editor on the Editorial Board of Law House Publishing Limited and Continuing Legal Education Project, publishers of Nigerian Weekly Bench Reports (NWBR) and also the Muhammadu Uwais Law Journal respectively He is also, Dean of Research, Millennium Legal Research Foundation, Abuja- and still finds time to indulge in his favourite pastimes: reading, writing, painting and drawing! His collection of poems is currently in the print about to be published. His modest successes in private legal practice; his unwavering commitment and vociferous fight against human right abuses during the dark days of military dictatorship; endless support for the down-trodden and indigent litigants; calls for the support of the international community in the fight against child labour, girl marriages, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, poverty eradication and a host of other social problems are just as much concern to him as his crusade on law reform, respect for the rule of law by those in authority ,religious fundamentalism and ethnic violence.

Responding to queries as to what he would have loved to do other than his present endeavours, he blurted out that life to him would be worthless but then quickly added that he most probably would be into modeling, broadcasting or become a film actor. Take his ancestry and mingle that with his aristocratic poise and carriage. Then, sprinkle his oratory acumen, arrogance and delectable demeanor that is typical of seasoned legal practitioners, Spice that with his ever flowing fountain of talents and humility of a practicing Christian and thereafter top it up with an athletic physique, dreamy complexion and great looks, that will be a career packaged in the heavens.

His career in the legal profession has been endowed with numerous highlights on account of this fabulous mix of ingredients. His friendliness, frankness and humorous disposition has won him many admirers all over the world. Throughout his various travels around the world and numerous courses, conferences and studies in institutions and training workshops around the world attest to this trait

At some point, he was the legal resource person in charge of legal Opinion and Advisory services in the General Counsel Unit at the Presidency, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)- the Secretariat of the National Council on Privatization (NCP).

For someone who sees himself as a core litigation lawyer and who is so much in love with advocacy, getting him to work for the BPE on full time basis involved a lot of persuasion, negotiations and pressure from his present boss who felt that it would be of strategic national interest and a good idea for him to be engaged fulltime so as to afford BPE and indeed the nation at large, t he luxury and benefit of getting him to complete the numerous proposals he originated while as a mere NYSC intern.

For instance, he had singularly coordinated a “National seminar for judges on privatization” (15-16 October 2001 at NICON Hilton, Abuja) as well as develop hundreds of legal opinion on every conceivable legal issue arising from the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to privatize her ubiquitous public enterprises. After four years in the BPE Chief Akpan decided to leave the public service and face fulltime legal practice and therefore resigned his appointment effective April 18, 2007 and went into private legal practice as well as spend more time with his family and indulge in his favorite pastime: writing.

Chief Nkereuwem Akpan is happily married to his heartthrob, Blessing Akpan (Nee Umanah) a graduate of Computer Sciences. The union which was consummated on July 20, 2001 is so far blessed with two boys and a girl: (Prince Nkereuwem- born October 29, 2001 and Raphael Ofonime- born July 19, 2003 and Princes Edidiong – born November 8, 2005) the family presently resides in Abuja, Nigeria where he is engaged in private legal practice, Legal Research and general consultancy.