Akpabio also served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
He defeated his closest challenger, Abdul-Aziz Yari, who was also a governor of Zamfara State.
Akpabio was preferred by President Bola Tinubu with Jibrin Barau, the lawmaker from Kano State as his deputy.
As the counting finished Akpabio supporters roared in jubilation.
He takes over from Ahmad Lawan.
Akpabio scored 63 votes to defeat Yari who had 46 votes.
He was immediately sworn in.
