About us
Who We Are
Ndito Abasi, Abasians or Abasi People are indigenous to the contiguous land and water of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in South Eastern-most part of Nigeria.
They are divided into 1.3 States, 4 Senatorial Districts, 13 Federal Constituencies and 38 LGAs in the contemporary Nigeria.
From the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom that include (Abak, Eastern Obolo, Eket, Essien Udim, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Ini, Itu, Mbo, Mkpat Enin, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Onna, Oruk Anam, Oron, Okobo, Udong Uko, Uruan, Uyo, and Ukanafun) to 7 of Cross River state (Biase, Akamkpa, Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, Calabar Municipal and Bakassi) the people share common identity and name God, Abasi.
The Abasi People are the 4th largest nationality in Nigeria with an estimated population of over 20 million people and one language comprising of 7 major dialects of Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Oro, Ekid, Obolo and Ekoi.
The Abasi People (Ndito Abasi) shared One Supreme God (Akwa Abasi eyong mme isong ye si iyohore ke esit – Almighty God of the heavens and earth with everything therein). Abasi which means God is derived from shared nomenclative identity with same cultural affinity and varied ethos of unity in diversity.
Abasians are a peace loving and very hospitable Africans with rich culture and natural resources (petroleum, arable land, water and mineral and human resources).
The Ibibio with the largest estimated population of over 10 million. The other dialects is followed by Annang with 5.5 million, Efik 3 million, Ekid and Obolo and Ekid over 500,000 each respectively. Ekoi people also known as Ejagham extends eastward into southwest region of Cameroon.
The population of Ekoi with different languages in Nigeria is 3 million and over 1.5 million in Cameroon. Likewise, Oro population in Nigeria is over 2 million – we are also found in Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Abasi Nation has existing international infrastructure for tourism and global commerce (2 Airports, 2 Seaports, 2 Stadiums, Roadways, Hospitals, Universities, Polytechnics, Electricity Production, etc)
Among early pre-independence political leaders of the then Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers (COR) State Movement (now Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States) include Eyo Ita, Egbert Udo Udoma, Ibanga Akpabio, Margaret Ekpo, Nyong Essien, Eyo Uyo, etc.
Others such leaders included Lieutenant Wellington Duke Bassey (first commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army), Cardinal Ekanem, (First Catholic Cardinal in West Africa), Louis Orok Edet, (first indigenous Inspector General of Police), Hogan “Kid” Bassey (born Okon Asuquo Bassey was the first Nigerian to become a champion in boxing) made success in their professions.
Also, Phillip Effiong, Okokon Ndem, Akpan Utuk, E.A Etuk etc were some of those involved in the Nigerian civil war. The current Senate President, HE Godswill Obot Akpabio is from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State – the highest ranking political leader among Abasi People and in today’s Niger Delta.
The Abasians made early developmental strides in pre and post independence Nigeria through one of the first organized socio-cultural political groups, Ibibio Union. Through the Union, many Ndito Abasi were sponsored on scholarship to earn western education.
In general terms, Abasi People had early contact with western education and culture with the European traders and Missionaries including the establishment of schools such as Hope Waddell Training Institute, HOWAD, Calabar, (1895), Holy Family College, HOFACO, Abak (1942), Methodist Boys High School, Oron among many others.
The Renaissance of Abasi People previously identified as the Ibibios, Calabar People, Efik People is powered by Abasi People Foundation (APF) at Home and Diaspora. APF exists to unify Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Oro, Ekid, Ekoi and Obolo dialect groups under one shared identity for peace, sustainable development and global recognition.
Our Approach
Our Strategies:
- Relationship building vs. separatism and militancy
- Online grassroots mobilization vs. monied people management
- Nationalistic vs. State Centric
- Self-help vs. dependency
- Technological leverage for at least 2 million Abasians online in 2 years.
Our Vision:
We see united Abasians in Nigeria and globally leading equitable sustainable development for our people and land.
Our Mission:
To mobilize Abasi People in Nigeria and Diaspora for collective self-emancipation from both internal and external marginalization and exploitation for equitable sustainable development.
Our Shared Identity:
- One Supreme God (Akwa Abasi eyong mme isong ye si iyohore ke esit – Almighty God of the heavens and earth with everything therein)
- One People (Ndito Abasi or Abasians)
- One Language (with 7 major dialects)
- Contiguous land and water in South Eastern-most part of Nigeria
- Rich in natural resources (petroleum, arable land, water and mineral resources)
- Marginalized, exploited and divided into 1.3 States, 4 Senatorial Districts, 13 Federal Constituencies and 38 LGAs in the contemporary Nigeria
- Existing international infrastructure for tourism and global commerce (airports, seaports, stadiums, roadways, hospitals, universities, electricity production, etc.)
- Leaders of the COR state movement in the Eyo Ita, Udo Udoma, Ibanga Akpabio days
- Lessons from Ibibio Union vs. 4th Largest Nationality in Nigeria where our language was recognized and respected globally
- Need for unity, for emancipation from internal and external marginalization towards equitable sustainable development in Nigeria and globally.
Our Structure:
- Incorporated Trustees of Abasi People Foundation (APF) with representatives from our 7 Dialect Families at Home and Diaspora (Annang, Efik, Ekid, Ekoi, Ibibio, Obolo and Oro)
- Steering Group with 4 Executive Operational Teams
- Secretariat – Unlimited number of professionals working behind the scenes to accomplish the vision and mission of the movement
- Global Congress – (Shared Governance Parliament) with 10 Specialized Committees
- 7 Regional Coordinators to mobilize and administer the movement across our 38 LGAs and 5 DRAs
- 38 LGAs to organize Wards and Villages Chapters
- 5 DRAs (Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Middle East) to organize Chapters in specific countries abroad.
- 5 Special Constituencies (Grassroots, Esop Ndito Abasi Worldwide – Telegram Group for now; Esop Iban, Patrons, Elders and Youth Councils) to mobilize resources.