Prominent scholars, policymakers, business leaders, traditional rulers and other distinguished guests will gather in Lagos on Monday, June 15, 2026, for the presentation of Uruan: The Iboku People of Geographical Southeastern Nigeria and Their Bakassi Economic Zone, a new book by renowned economist and public policy expert, Chief Efiong Daniel Akan.
The event, which is strictly by invitation, will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.
The publication provides an in-depth account of the history, culture and evolution of the Uruan people, while examining the strategic economic significance of the Bakassi Economic Zone and its potential role in driving regional development, maritime commerce, investment and economic integration in Nigeria’s coastal corridor.
Beyond documenting the heritage of one of Nigeria’s historic ethnic communities, the book offers valuable perspectives on the intersection of culture, geography and economic development, making it a significant contribution to national discourse on regional growth and resource-based industrialisation.
About the Author
Born on February 13, 1944, in Utit Uruan, Akwa Ibom State, Chief Akan is a distinguished economist, businessman and former petroleum industry executive whose career has spanned education, research, public service and private enterprise.
After beginning his professional life as a teacher and school administrator, he pursued higher studies in economics, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lagos in 1970. He also undertook professional training at the Institute of Gas Technology in Chicago, United States, following earlier studies in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Chief Akan worked with Shell Nigeria before joining the Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC) in 1972, where he became part of the pioneering team that helped shape Nigeria’s crude oil marketing and petroleum management framework. Over the course of more than two decades in the industry, he held several strategic positions, culminating in his appointment as Group Executive Director in charge of Commercial and Investment Activities at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
His contributions extended beyond Nigeria’s borders through service on the OPEC Economic Commission Board in Vienna, where he participated in key discussions on global energy and petroleum economics.
Upon retiring from the public service, he assumed the position of the Chairman/CEO of Danakan Group of Companies.
Chief Akan is a strong civic/ community development activist who brought electricity to Utit Obio Uruan, and supply of potable water to Ata Uruan community and neighboring Itam villages.
In his tenure as the second President of Esop Ndito Uruan in Lagos, he organised the provision of educational infrastructures in Uruan homeland, including a six-classrooms block with the Principal’s office at Idaha Secondary School, Nnung Oku Uruan in Ibonda Clan, and scholarship awards to deserving Uruan secondary school and university students. Also, a small-scale business loan scheme was established for Uruan business persons in Lagos.
As a committed member of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, he has encouraged and supported people with the call of God upon their lives to undergo theological training to equip themselves for work in the Holy Ministry.
He was a strong member of the old Cross River State Elders’ Committee in Lagos, which worked assiduously to achieve a peaceful creation of two States (Akwa Ibom and Cross River), from the old Cross River State in 1987. He worked with a select group of Akwa Ibom indigenes to secure the abolition of Onshore/Offshore oil dichotomy in crude oil production accounting in Nigeria in 1992.
Chief Akan was a member of both the Advisory Council of Nsomm Uruan and Uruan Privy Council during the Paramount Rulership of their Royal Majesties, Edidem the Hon. James Udo Afia, CON and Edidem Okon Udo Ekpe, mme Nsomm of Uruan. He was also close to HRM, Edidem, the Right Hon. Nyong Essien, CBE, CON, Nsomm of Uruan, and the first and only President of the Eastern Nigeria House of Chiefs before Nigeria’s independence till the end of the first republic in January, 1965.
A life member of both the Nigerian Economic Society (May,
1983) and the Bible Society of Nigeria (May, 1997), Akan, has at different times been honoured with various awards, including Alumni Achiever (1993), University of Lagos; UNESCO Award for Excellence in recognition & appreciation of contributions towards UNESCO ideals (1997); Ada Idaha ke Uruan (1983); Uruan Excelsior Certificate of Honour (1986); Uruan Excelsior Chieftaincy and membership of Nsomm’s Advisory Council (1987); and Otu-Ekong Akpe Iboku Uruan (1994).
The forthcoming presentation is expected to bring together leading voices from academia, government, business and traditional institutions for what promises to be an important conversation on history, identity, economic opportunity and the future of Nigeria’s coastal economies.
