Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio
About Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio
Godswill Obot Akpabio has been President of the Nigerian Senate since 13 June 2023, when the 10th National Assembly elected him its presiding officer at inauguration. The office makes him head of the upper chamber of the National Assembly and third in the line of presidential succession, after the Vice President. He represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Before leading the Senate, Akpabio was Governor of Akwa Ibom State for two terms (2007–2015), a tenure he branded the “Uncommon Transformation” for its infrastructure drive, including Ibom International Airport. He entered the Senate in 2015 and served as Senate Minority Leader from 2015 to 2018, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in August 2018, and was Minister of Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022 under President Muhammadu Buhari. He returned to the Senate at the 2023 general election before his elevation to Senate President.
As of August 2026, Akpabio remains Senate President; in July 2026 the APC uploaded his name to INEC’s candidate nomination portal to seek re-election in the 2027 general election.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the senator for Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district?
Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio represents the people of Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district in the 10th National Assembly. The senator serves a four-year term and is one of three senators from Akwa Ibom State.
When was Godswill Obot Akpabio born?
Godswill Obot Akpabio was born on 9 December 1962, which makes he 63 years old.
What state does Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio represent?
Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio represents Akwa Ibom State in the South-South geopolitical zone in the Nigerian Senate. Each state in Nigeria has three senators, one for each of its three senatorial districts.
What is Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio's religion?
Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio is a Christian. Religious identity is not a legal qualification for senatorial office in Nigeria, but it is often reflected in constituency representation across the country's diverse zones.
What does a Nigerian senator do?
A senator is a member of the upper chamber of Nigeria's National Assembly. Senators make federal laws, approve presidential appointments, ratify international treaties, oversee the executive arm of government and advocate for the interests of their senatorial district. The Senate has 109 members in total.
Government of Akwa Ibom State
- Governor
- Umo Eno
- House of Reps
- 10 members — listed on the Akwa Ibom State page