TD Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is facing intense scrutiny after claiming he once earned not less than ₦10 million monthly from selling akara and bread — branded as “akara burgers” — to ExxonMobil workers.
The statement, caught on video and delivered during a state covenant prayer service, was framed as a testament to entrepreneurship from humble beginnings.
Governor Eno described how he expanded into a coffee shop to serve morning customers.
He presented the story as evidence of his business ingenuity before his rise in politics.
Governor Umo Eno said:
“I started selling Akara and bread.
“Back then, I was doing Akara Burger — we opened the bread and put Akara inside for you.
“I made not less than ₦10 million in a month.”
Public Reaction
The remarks by Governor Eno has ignited a storm of debate across social media.
Nigerians quickly dissected the claim, pointing out the implausibility of such earnings given historical food prices, inflation rates, and consumer demand in the 1980s–2000s.
- Economic context: In the 1980s, a loaf of bread cost less than ₦1, and akara was sold for kobo.
To reach ₦10 million monthly, Eno would have needed to sell millions of units every month — a scale far beyond the realities of street food sales at the time.
- Public skepticism: Many users dismissed the statement as “mathematical impossibility”.
Others accused the governor of embellishing his past to craft a rags-to-riches narrative.
- Supportive voices: A smaller group defended Eno, suggesting his words were metaphorical.
They claim it was intended to inspire resilience and entrepreneurial spirit during Nigeria’s current economic struggles.
The Facts: Eno Umo’s Career Timeline
- 1964 – Eno was Born
- 1982 – Began career at Union Bank Plc (Business Advisory & Financial Planning) at age 18
- 1985 – Manager, Bertola Machine Tools Ltd
- 1990 – General Manager, Norman Holdings Limited
- 1997 – CEO, Royalty Hotels & Recreations Ltd
- 2004 – Chairman, Hotel and Tourism Management Board (Akwa Ibom)
- 2019 – Executive Director, Agricultural Investment, Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP)
- 2021 – Commissioner, Lands and Water Resources
- 2023 – Governor, Akwa Ibom State
This documented trajectory reveals a steady climb through banking, corporate management, hospitality, and government service.
His professional journey began at 18, leaving little room for the prolonged street-level entrepreneurship he described.
The Contradiction
The narrative by Governor Eno of earning millions from akara sales conflicts with both Nigeria’s economic realities and his own career milestones.
By 1982, he was already employed in banking. Within three years, he had advanced to managerial roles in the corporate sector.
While it is possible he engaged in small-scale trading as a teenager, the claim of ₦10 million monthly earnings is inconsistent with:
- Historical purchasing power: Nigeria’s economy in the 1980s–1990s could not support such margins from street food sales.
- Career timeline: His early entry into formal employment suggests limited time for the kind of entrepreneurial empire he described.
Eno and the Plausibility of Akara Millions
Governor Eno Umo’s statement appears less a factual recounting of his early career and more an exaggeration.
Inspirational storytelling is common among public figures, but the mismatch between his official career history and the alleged akara fortune raises serious questions about credibility.
The controversy highlights the need for transparency in leadership narratives.
Citizens facing economic hardship deserve honesty, not embellished tales of impossible success.
In the end, the “₦10 million akara burger” story may serve as a parable of ambition — but not as history.
