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Historic Promotion: Simeon Udofia Akpanudom Becomes First AIG from Essien Udim LGA | Blissful Affairs Online
Decorated Police Officer with Decades of Service, Academic Excellence and Strategic Leadership Rises to the Rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police
The promotion of Simeon Udofia Akpanudom to the prestigious rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) has been described as a landmark achievement not only for his illustrious career but also for his community and Akwa Ibom State at large.
With this elevation, AIG Akpanudom has become the first officer from Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to attain the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, and currently stands as the most senior serving police officer of Akwa Ibom State origin in the Nigeria Police Force.
Born in Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim LGA, the distinguished officer’s journey to the upper echelon of policing leadership is a story of discipline, dedication and exceptional professional excellence spanning more than three decades.
AIG Akpanudom began his academic journey at Primary School No. 1, Abak Town, before proceeding to Holy Family College, Oku Abak, where he completed his secondary education. His academic brilliance became more evident when he gained admission into the University of Calabar, where he studied Geography and Regional Planning and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons), Second Class Upper Division, emerging as the best graduating student in his department in the Class of 1990.
Following the completion of the National Youth Service Corps at the Federal Government College Ogbomosho in Oyo State in 1991, he joined the Nigeria Police Force in May 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, marking the beginning of a distinguished policing career.
Over the years, he rose steadily through the ranks while serving in numerous command, investigative, and administrative roles across the country.
His early operational career included serving as the pioneer Officer-in-Charge of Mgbouba Police Station, now known as Ozuoba Division, after his mandatory Police Academy attachment at the Divisional Police Headquarters Special Area, Rumuodomaya in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He also served as Officer-in-Charge of the National Fertiliser Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) Police Station, Onne, as well as Divisional Crime Officer in Diobu, Elimgbu and Eleme Divisions in Rivers State. His leadership capabilities later earned him postings as Divisional Police Officer in Eleme, Rumuepirikom and Ahoada, also in Rivers State.
His professional influence extended into police training and public communication when he served as Police Public Relations Officer at the Police College, Ikeja, where he also functioned as a directing staff responsible for shaping the next generation of police officers.
AIG Akpanudom later held key command positions in Bauchi State, serving as Divisional Police Officer at Yelwa and GRA Divisions, and subsequently as Second-in-Command of the Department of Operations, Staff Officer Administration, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Second-in-Command of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
His rise through the leadership structure continued with appointments as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) CID, ACP Administration, and Area Commander, Calabar Metropolis in Cross River State Police Command. He also served as ACP Administration in Rivers State Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration in Anambra State, and later as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zonal CID at Zone 9 Headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State.
In pursuit of higher strategic leadership training, the senior officer attended the prestigious National Defence College Nigeria, where he successfully completed the Higher Defence Management Course and was subsequently inducted as a Fellow of the Defence College (fdc).
Upon completion of the programme, he was posted to Cross River State Police Command as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, where he played a critical role in strengthening security operations in the state.
He was later promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police and posted to the Anti-Fraud Section of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon Close, Lagos, where he served with distinction and professionalism.
Academically, AIG Akpanudom has continued to distinguish himself. He holds a Master’s Degree in Security and Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy and has attended several professional courses and international conferences on policing, security strategy and leadership.
His outstanding career has also earned him several honours and recognitions. Among them is the Inspector-General of Police Sword of Honour, which he received after emerging as Best All-Round Cadet of Course 17/1992.
He also emerged as Best Graduating Participant at both the Intermediate Command Course 58/2010 and the Strategic Leadership Command Course 6/2019 at the Police Staff College Jos.
In recognition of his leadership contributions, he was awarded a PhD (Honoris Causa) in Leadership from LeadImpact University, Denver, Colorado, USA. He is also a Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP) and a member of several professional organizations including the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals, and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, AIG Akpanudom is a devoted family man who is happily married with children. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading, writing, watching wrestling and football, swimming, brisk walking, exploring nature, and listening to gospel music.
His promotion to Assistant Inspector-General of Police is widely regarded as a well-earned recognition of decades of outstanding service, discipline, professionalism and commitment to national security.
Across Akwa Ibom State and within the Nigeria Police community, colleagues, friends and admirers have continued to celebrate his remarkable achievements, expressing confidence that his experience, leadership and strategic insight will further strengthen policing and security administration in Nigeria.
