AKWA IBOM STATE ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT SCHEME AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA 2015-2023

This study seeks to ascertain the roles of Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment scheme and to expose the measures which have been put in place by the Akwa Ibom State Government towards the promotion of Socio-Economic Development in the State. The study adopted the Structural Functional Theory as a theoretical framework to analyze Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES) as a structure which receives input by ways of demand and support from it environment and produce output in form of employment generation to it environment. The data for this study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The methodology was survey design with the administration of questionnaire to 450 respondents using random sampling techniques to select respondents which were drawn from the 2,750 beneficiaries of the programme in the state. The data were analyzed using chi-square statistical method of data analyses. The findings of the study showed that though Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment scheme have been able to promote socio- economic and agricultural development in the state alongside with small and medium scale enterprises. Thus, the study recommends that attempt toward socio-economic development should not be handled only by the public sector, government should partner with private sector to create more job opportunity for youths of Akwa Ibom State. Also, a functional anti-corruption and transparency unit should be put in place in this sector. Finally, intensive education and seminar should be carried out for the youths of Akwa Ibom State to enlighten them on every programme and policies of Akwa Ibom State En terprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES).