Okon Okon (Executive Chairman

Okon, a well-groomed and seasoned professional, with about 34 years of industry experience cutting across the private and public sectors, was appointed in 2017 as the pioneer Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service with a specific mandate to turn around the Agency - a mission which, by the grace of God, he has thus far executed diligently, successfully and with exemplary integrity. Consequently, he was reappointed in 2022 to continue providing excellent leadership to the professional workforce that has transformed the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service as evidenced by the steady growth in the State’s IGR in the corresponding period of his engagement.

He is a tested and proven icon in corporate leadership both in private and public organizations.

Okon, a native of Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, where he also attended his primary and secondary education, obtained his first degree in Economics with 2nd class upper grade from the University of Cross River State, now University of Uyo, in 1988.

Upon completion of his National Youth Service in Lagos in 1989, he started a flourishing career in banking and attended robust executive courses and continuing professional education in many leading Business Schools globally including Harvard Business School – Boston, Wharton Business School – Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School – New York, Euromoney – London, IDI – Dublin and Lagos Business School – Lagos. The trainings cut across Business Leadership, Executive Management, Administration, Financial Management, Negotiation, Contemporary Business Development Strategy, Change Management, and Sustainable Governance.

In addition, he has a Master’s Degree in Economics and an MBA, both from the University of Lagos.

In November 2019, Okon was a member of the Nigerian delegation at the 40th Annual Technical Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) in Penang, Malaysia where he presented a group report on "Shadow Economy & Taxes".

He has to his credit over 30 years of highly rewarding career experience in Banking & Finance (especially in Corporate Finance & Investment, Treasury, Mortgage, Trade, Retail, and MSME banking) with an impressive performance trail. Of the 30 years, 21 were in senior management positions including 3 years as the pioneer MD/CEO of Omega Bank Savings & Loans Ltd (Mortgage Bankers) and over 10 years as General Manager across 2 major commercial banks including Wema Bank Plc from where he joined the public service of Akwa Ibom State.

Okon has benefited from extensive leadership exposure and has also acquired profound technical skills and capacity. He is well-versed in public sector administration, corporate governance, executive management & general administration. He is pragmatic, proactive, agile, energetic, hands-on, and endowed with a good sense of executive judgment. He has a good working knowledge of the structure of the Nigerian economy and a bird’s eye view of the global outlook.

Okon, despite his robust career exposure and executive trainings locally and internationally, remains an epitome of humility in service. He is also very passionate about community and public service. In appreciation of his sterling character and strong relationship skills, many communities, Christian denominations, and Associations including the Alumni of the Guardian Newspapers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rotary International as a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), Federal Road Safety Commission, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (Pillar of Professionalism Award), Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Nigeria Union of Journalists, League of Veteran Journalists, Business Luncheon Forum, Ahmadu Bellow University Alumni Association (Development Service Award), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, as well as Uyo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UYOCCIMA), have honoured him with various Recognitions and Awards of Excellence in diverse aspects of human endeavours. Recently, his native Community, Ekpene Ibia Uruan decorated him with the Star Award/Recognition for his superlative and sacrificial contributions to the development of his people and Community.

Okon, a member of the ongoing Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, is a Fellow and a Council member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. On Sunday, November 5th, 2023, he was conferred with the Knight of John Wesley (KJW) by the Conference of the Methodist Church Nigeria.

He is married to his dear wife, Barr. Mrs. Nkereuwem Okon and their marriage is blessed with 3 lovely children.