Akpandem is the immediate past Managing Editor/Chief Executive Officer of Independent Newspapers Limited. He worked for The Punch newspapers before moving to Independent Newspapers Limited.

Akpandem holds an MBA in Leadership Studies from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts from the University of Uyo; and a National Diploma in Mass Communication from The Polytechnic, Calabar (now Cross River State University, Calabar).

He is a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors as well as the Governing Board of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos, and Special Media Adviser/Honourary Consultant to the National Cancer Prevention Project.

Born on June 29, 1962, Akpandem hails from Ndukpo-Ise in Nsit Ubium Local Government.