IBESIKPO

The study utilizes a qualitative historical approach, drawing on oral traditions, ethnographic data, and secondary historical sources. The findings reveal that the pre-colonial Ibesikpo woman enjoyed a high degree of autonomy and institutionalized authority that was later disrupted by colonial administrative structures. This research concludes that understanding the historical roles of these women is essential for contemporary gender-inclusive development policies in Akwa Ibom State, as it highlights a precedent of female leadership and economic independence that predates modern Western influence.