The House Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Otobong Effiong Bob, on Tuesday was awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Public Governance and Leadership at Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC), Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.

According to Professor Philip Dahida, the Director of the Centre, the academic achievement was awarded after the lawmaker had successfully met all requirements, including the defense of his thesis on August 26, 2025.

Professor Dahida commended the university’s School of Postgraduate Studies and the external examiner for the display of professionalism, knowledge transfer, and passion in evaluating the doctoral candidate. While lauding his resilience and efforts of the awardee in pursuing knowledge. He tasked the lawmaker to apply his research work to improve the Nigerian society at large.

Reacting to the doctoral Degree Award, Rt. Hon. Bob who currently represents the Nsit-Ubium State Constituency, described the doctoral award as a great academic milestone, while revealing that his research work which dwelt on the nature and challenges of the shareholding system in Nigeria can help address the problems and bridge the existing gaps.

The lawmaker commended the Center for providing the enabling environment for knowledge acquisition and “proper tutoring” of master’s and doctoral candidates.

“Today is a significant day for me as a person, and for my family because coincidentally this will be the first PhD in my family. It’s a significant day because it marks a great academic milestone.

“I’m eternally grateful to God. I’m also very grateful to the management of the University of Abuja, most especially the Director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Dahida.

“There’s a lot of dedication, there’s a lot of academic skill that is needed for you to be able to get to this level. So I thank the Centre again and all the lecturers that we’ve come in contact with because they’ve impacted greatly in my life and on my academic pursuit. So I’m really grateful.

“My research topic is on the nature and challenges of the shareholding system in Nigeria. And from my research we were able to identify gaps in the already existing literature. It would help strengthen the regulatory functions of the regulatory bodies within the shareholding system in Nigeria.

“So, we look forward to the work contributing to protecting shareholders in the way they should actually be protected to help avoid them losing the money they invest in shares.

“I eventually would like to see this research work published and I hope at that point that those in the position of power and those that have the opportunity and ability to be able to push such reforms would refer to this particular piece of work to be able to make meaningful change in this particular sector,” Bob stated.

The 33 year old state legislator is regarded as a shining light in Akwa Ibom State and possesses enormous potentials to positively impact leadership in the state and at the national level.

Born in 1992, Otobong is the son of Senator Effiong Dickson Bob, a strongman of Akwa Ibom politics who served two terms in the Nigerian Senate and is widely respected for his contributions to the state’s political development. Carrying this rich legacy, Otobong has built his own reputation as a brilliant lawyer and one of Nigeria’s most promising young politicians.

A product of University of Buckingham (LL.B) and University of Warwick (LL.M), he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2014. At just 26, he ventured into politics and made history in 2019 as Nigeria’s youngest lawmaker when he won election into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Since then, his performance has distinguished him as a thoughtful legislator and people-focused leader. He has chaired the Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges Committee, served as Deputy Chairman of the NDDC Committee, and actively contributed to key committees on Appropriation, Education, Judiciary, and Environment. His motions and interventions have addressed critical issues ranging from healthcare and education to environmental safety and food security.

Outside the Assembly, Bob has touched lives directly. Earlier this year, he sponsored a free medical outreach that provided surgeries, diagnostics, and eye care to hundreds of beneficiaries in his constituency. His elevation to House Leader of the 7th Assembly underscores his rising influence and the trust he commands among his colleagues.