Akpan Albert Bassey

Bassey Albert Akpan CON (born 28 October 1972) is a Nigerian politician who served as a member of the Senate of Nigeria from June 2015 to January 2023. He previously served as the Commissioner of Finance in Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2014.

He was first elected to the Senate in March 2015, to represent the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, and won re-election in the February 2019 senatorial elections. He is a member of the Young Progressives Party (YPP). Akpan was born on 28 October 1972 into the family of Chief Albert Robert Akpan, a successful businessman, prominent politician, and philanthropist, in Ididep Usuk village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

He is a grassroots politician who represented Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District at the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Previously, he was Commissioner of Finance in Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2014. He was elected to the Senate in March 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was reelected in February 2019 to represent Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District at the 9th Senate.

Akpan started his secondary education at St. Patrick's College, Calabar, before proceeding to the University of Uyo, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in economics (Second Class Upper Division). He furthered his studies by obtaining an MBA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Akpan began his professional career in 1997, joining the International Operations and Consumer Banking/Retail Banking Unit of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). In 1999, he moved to become Manager, Corporate Banking Group at Continental Trust Bank in Lagos. He later held the position of Uyo Branch Manager at First Inland Bank Plc, winning awards for best-performing branch manager in the South-South and nationwide.

In 2005, he joined First City Monument Bank as Assistant Vice President, General Manager for Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, directing over 15 branches and developing market strategies. In 2007, he accepted a nomination as Commissioner of Finance in Akwa Ibom State, significantly boosting the state's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to N15.6 billion by 2013.

He was the chairman of the Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, overseeing over 6,000 projects in health, education, and rural development. In April 2009, he chaired the Akwa Ibom State Revenue Summit, aiming to maximize IGR. He was instrumental in securing a £325.24 million loan from Standard Chartered Bank for state projects.

In 2014, despite aspiring for the governorship, he respected PDP’s zoning policy and contested the senatorial seat, winning in 2015. He was sworn in on 9 June 2015. During his Senate tenure, he sponsored bills, motions, and investigated the Ikot Ekpene-Itu-Calabar highway’s disrepair.

His committee rejected the PIB budget proposal and the Gas Master Plan review, advocating for the Gas Flaring Penalty and Prohibition Bill. His election was initially nullified in 2017 but overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2017. He initiated an undergraduate scholarship scheme benefiting Akwa Ibom students, with 114 graduates as of 2020.

In the 9th Senate, he chaired the Committee on Upstream Petroleum Resources and served on multiple committees, including Gas, Finance, and Appropriation. He was accused of bribery and corruption in 2017 by the EFCC and SPIP, with allegations of failing to declare assets and receiving bribes.

The EFCC and SPIP investigations led to charges against him for corruption and bribery, including allegations of facilitating the passage of the PIB despite public opposition. He was conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in October 2022.

He has received numerous awards, including the Award of Excellence by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, the Ibiono Ibom Welfare and Development Union’s Award of Honour, and traditional titles such as Enin Ibiono Ibom and Iberedem Ididep. He is also a Fellow of several professional bodies and organizations.