TPL (Prince) Effiong Akpan was born on February 12, 1965, into the royal family of Late Chief Etim Akpan Ntukidem of Ikot Ayan Itam, Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom State. He began his educational journey at St. John’s Catholic School (1971–1977), proceeded to Itam Secondary School and later the Cross River State School of Basic Studies, Akamkpa.