Ekpene

Ekpene is a toponym used for multiple towns and villages in southern Nigeria, most notably in Akwa Ibom State. The root appears in several place names, often as a component of longer names such as Ikot Ekpene.

Ikot Ekpene is the best-known settlement with Ekpene in its name. It is a town and local government area in Akwa Ibom State. It serves as a commercial and administrative center for surrounding communities and is integrated into the broader regional economy, including markets and transportation networks along major routes.

Other communities bearing the Ekpene component are typically rural, with economies based on agriculture (palm oil, cassava) and fishing in nearby waterways. They maintain traditional leadership structures alongside Christian churches.

Linguistically, Ekpene appears in Ibibio and Annang-speaking areas; the toponym reflects the region’s naming practices and is a common element in local geography.

Historically, the area was part of pre-colonial polities and later experienced colonial administration and post-independence local government reorganizations.