History of Etinan LGA

Etinan Local Government Area was created in 1976 out of the former Uyo Division with when the entire Akwa Ibom State was still embedded within the old Cross River State. The creation of the local government came on the behest of the recommendations of the Akilu commission of Inquiry into the administrative structure of the then South Eastern State. The administrative headquarters of the local government is Etinan. 

 Etinan Local Government Area is located on latitude 05001’N and longitude 07054’E. It is 26 kilometres South of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital and 24 kilometres North of Eket. It shares common boundaries with Onna, Nsit Ibom, Mkpat Enin, Abak and Uyo Local Government Areas and is situated on the Qua Iboe River South West of Uyo, and North of Eket.

The entire local government area lies in the tropical rain forest belt and has two distinct seasons – the rainy season and the dry season. The vegetation is evergreen.

Etinan Local Government counts as one of the serving local government councils in Akwa-lbom state with its administrative in the town of Etinan thus falling within the Akwa-lbom north-east senatorial district while forming a federal constituency together with Nsit Ubium and Nsit lbom local government areas. The Etinan Local Government which is in charge of public administrations is headed by a Chairman who super sees the Executive arm of the Local Government. The Etinan Local Government is made up of 11 wards with 11 councilors representing the 11 wards.

Etinan LGA, with Ekom Iman as it’s ancentral home- and the original home of all Iman clan,   is over 700 years old far more than the ancient Benin Kingdom and the name Etinan came from father and son combination “Eti” and “Inan”, such that before an “Obong” is crown in Etinan he has to visit Itina Iman at Ekom and the necessary rites performed by himself or on his behalf.

Etinan was the Local Government Headquarters of all the villages in Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubiom, Nsit Atai as well as all Northern and Southern Iman villages. The central town in Etinan has three villages- Etinan, Ikot Ebo & Ikot Ebiyak (aka Ekpuk Ita Etinan- the largest ward in Etinan as a whole), that came together to form a Federation and has the Etinan Federated Town Council as their city center.

Presently, Etinan is clustered into Asuna, Afaha, Nung Oku Itina and Ning Oku Ubo.