As Nigerians celebrate the new mayor of the Borough of Islington in the UK, Jason Utitofon Jackson, who is a Nigerian-born native of Ika Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, for making history as the first Nigerian-born politician to occupy the Office of Mayor of Islington since the Borough’s founding in 1900, what many may not know is that the he has always been a star from the age of 6.
Jackson’s new feat as mayor of a UK town has elated many in his home country of Nigeria, especially those from his home state of Akwa Ibom. However, his success story transcends the UK mayor appointment and dates back to the 80s when he got his first glimpse of popularity as a star child preacher at the tender age of 6.
Utitofon Jackson as a Child Preacher in Nigeria
Before migrating to the UK, Jackson started his journey to success as a star child preacher in Nigeria at the age of 6. A story he documented in a book, “How I Became a Minister at Six: Evangelist Utitofon M. Jackson Testifies,” published in 1993 and listed on Google Books.
Jackson preached the gospel of Christ Jesus and performed miracles at his crusades in Nigeria in the late 80s. By the early 90s, he had become a popular name amongst the Christian body in Nigeria. As a naturally gifted speaker, he gained national recognition in Nigeria as the country’s youngest preacher at the tender age of six before his fora to the United Kingdom.
Utitofon Jackson’s Journey to the UK
Jackson began his early education in Nigeria, attending primary school and later Holy Family College (HOFACO) in Abak, Akwa Ibom State, before relocating to the UK to continue his studies.
After arriving in the UK, he attended the London Metropolitan University, where he was elected President of the Students’ Union. He used his position as president of the students’ union to champion racial equity, student advocacy, and social justice not just in the UK, but also across the African continent. This would eventually lead to his life as a public servant in the UK.
He was elected as a councillor in 2022 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed Chair of Islington’s Homes and Communities Committee in 2023. In this role, he led ground-breaking work in housing equity, community wellbeing, and inclusive governance. One of his most notable achievements was initiating a £1.6 million mental health programme specifically for young Black men, a nationally recognised and award-nominated initiative that set a new benchmark for culturally responsive services in the UK.
Cllr Jackson currently serves as co-founder of The Black Policy Institute (TBPI), a national think tank focused on elevating Black British and African perspectives in public policy, civic participation, and community development. His work bridges personal experience with strategic insight giving voice to communities often excluded from key decision-making processes.
He holds a degree in Business Law and Media Studies, as well as a Master’s in Big Data in Culture and Society from King’s College London. In addition to his public service, he is a business consultant and social entrepreneur with interests spanning real estate, agriculture, education, and ethical AI leveraging technology for social good and development.
Akwa Ibom Recognizes Jackson’s Feat in the UK
Jackson’s home state of Akwa Ibom in Nigeria recognized his political wins in the United Kingdom with a congratulatory message from the office of the state governor, Umo Eno.
In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekeretr Udoh in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom state, on May 17, 2025, the governor described Jackson’s election and inauguration as Mayor of the Borough of Islington in the United Kingdom as “historic” and “a great source of pride” to state.
“Mayor Jackson, an illustrious son of Akwa Ibom State, originally from Ika Local Government Area, becomes the first Nigerian-born politician to occupy the Office of Mayor of Islington since the Borough’s founding in 1900.
“His remarkable journey from his early education at the Holy Family College, Abak, to an illustrious career in public service in the United Kingdom, represents a powerful story of resilience, excellence and integrity which in the main form the critical schematics of the Akwa Ibom distinct identify,” the statement reads in part.
The statement further mentioned that indigenes of the state, like Jackson, who have accomplishments that have made the state proud, would be honoured in a special event in a set date.
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