Ibanga Akpabio

Ibanga Akpabio was a Nigerian educator and government official who was a regional Minister of Education and later of Internal Affairs in the Eastern region, during Nigeria's first republic.

Life

Early life and education Akpabio was the son of a warrant chief, Udo Akapbio of Ukana, Ikot Ntuen in Ikot Ekpene Division. He qualified as a higher elementary school teacher and began his teaching career at a Methodist missionary school in Ikot Ekpene. Okon Eyo later fell out with Zik in 1956. When Azikiwe became premier in 1954, Akpabio was appointed the regional Minister of Education. Under his leadership, the government approved grant-aid for some African run schools and also experimented with universal primary education in the region. In 1957, Akpabio was transferred to the Minister of Internal Affairs.