February 12, (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State maintained a largely positive digital reputation in 2025, with 70 percent of online conversations reflecting favourable sentiment, according to the 2025 Digital Perception Audit released by the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom (COOPA).
The independent audit, which reviewed major digital and social media platforms over the past year, shows that only 14 percent of online discourse was negative, while 16 percent was neutral, indicating that governance achievements and development projects dominated public discussions about the State.
According to the report endorsed by Mr Utitofon Morgan Ukpong, Chancellor of COOPA, and Secretary, Mrs Priscilla Akpanettot, key government actions that shaped public opinion included the clearance of salary and pension arrears, approval of a ₦695 billion supplementary budget, continued work on the Ibom Deep Seaport, road construction projects across the three senatorial districts, and the commissioning of model primary schools and health facilities.
Youth empowerment initiatives and social intervention programmes also contributed significantly to the State’s positive online perception.
COOPA noted that these initiatives formed the backbone of Akwa Ibom’s digital reputation in 2025, reinforcing what it described as a “development-focused narrative” across online platforms.
The audit identified June 2025 as a critical moment in the State’s online conversation following Governor Umo Eno’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The political move generated a surge of mixed reactions and heightened debate, with online discussions focusing on governance continuity and political implications. However, COOPA stated that the spike in criticism was short-lived.
“Public conversations soon returned to development projects and policy implementation, without any lasting damage to the State’s overall positive image”, the report noted.
Beyond numerical sentiment analysis, the audit examined prevailing public mood and identified four dominant sentiments, including:
Growing optimism about the State’s future, driven by infrastructure expansion, tourism promotion, and economic growth plans.
Increased confidence in government institutions, attributed to improved fiscal management, civil service reforms, and the payment of gratuities.
Appreciation for government responsiveness to social needs and emergencies.Concerns over specific issues, including land administration, procurement transparency, and occasional activist campaigns.
COOPA stressed that the concerns were issue-specific and did not amount to widespread dissatisfaction with governance.
The report credited ongoing road construction, urban renewal projects, expansion of Ibom Air operations, and renewed plans for the Ibom Deep Seaport as major contributors to positive sentiment.
Efforts to stabilise the public sector, particularly the payment of outstanding wages and pensions, were also cited as measures to build trust. Investments in education and healthcare infrastructure, alongside the “Destination Akwa Ibom” tourism campaign and public-private partnership initiatives, further enhanced the State’s appeal to investors and visitors.
Despite the strong rating, the audit highlighted areas requiring improved communication management. These include disputes over land compensation and allocation, questions about procurement transparency, and the spread of misinformation during major announcements.
COOPA recommended the strengthening of crisis-response communication systems to promptly counter false or misleading information before it gains traction online.
It also advised coordinated messaging across ministries, departments and agencies to reduce information gaps, as well as clearer communication of project milestones, budget performance and measurable social impact.
“Consistent storytelling around completed projects, beneficiary impact and economic value will help reinforce the development narrative that currently drives positive perception”, the report stated.
