Ukpong Udo Akpabio
Department of Public Administration
Akwa Ibom State University
abaiakpabio@gmail.com
08059111174
Sunday Effiong Ibanga
Department of Public Administration
Akwa Ibom State University
Obio AKpa Campus
E-mail: sunnibanga@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
State Owned Corporations are established globally for the principal purpose of promoting
socio-economic development of a nation. This study focused on Public Corporations and
Socio-economic Development of Akwa Ibom State, with particular reference to Ibom Air.
The problem to which this research was carried out is the issue of unemployment, low
standard of living, poor revenue generation in the state. The New public Management theory
was adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The study used both descriptive and
qualitative Approaches. The data was collected from secondary and primary sources were
analyzed using content analysis Approach. The findings revealed that Ibom Air has generated
over N161,558,530,560 within three and nine years of operation (2020-Septemner 2023).
Findings further revealed that Ibom Air has employed 1049 persons who are directly and
indirectly employed since it began operation. It has also revealed that Ibom Air has attracted
great influx of people who are on socio-economic mission to the State. Findings further
revealed that in spites of these positive achievements, Ibom Air has limited scope of
operation in Nigeria, and only one international route. The study therefore recommended
among other measures that; The State Government and the Management Should make sure
the routes are expanded to many States in Nigeria, as well as making move to have more
international routes to boost it revenue Capacity. Finally, State Government should make
policy to attract more investors to the State and as well as enhancing the practice of Public
Private Partnership.
Keynotes: Public corporation, government, privatization, development.