Enugu Takes Centre Stage as Governor Peter Mbah Declares Second Tech Festival Open

The Government of Enugu State has reaffirmed its commitment to technology-driven development as Governor Peter Mbah formally declared open the second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival, positioning innovation as the backbone of the state’s economic and social transformation.

The event, which held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, brought together technology leaders, policymakers, investors, diplomats, and thousands of young innovators from across Nigeria and beyond. The festival underscored Enugu’s ambition to emerge as a leading technology hub in West Africa, driven by youth talent, digital infrastructure, and forward-looking governance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Governor Mbah stressed that technology has moved beyond being a support tool to becoming the operating system of modern life. According to him, the global economy is undergoing a historic transformation powered by ideas, data, and innovation rather than physical assets.

“The world has crossed a line. What we are witnessing in our lifetime is nothing short of an economic renaissance powered by technology,” Mbah said, citing global technology giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta as examples of how innovation has reshaped commerce, governance, communication, and human interaction.

He emphasized that Enugu has deliberately chosen not to be a spectator in the Fourth Industrial Revolution but an active participant and producer of technology-driven solutions. The governor highlighted how his administration has moved from vision to execution within a short period, integrating digital systems into governance, security, education, and land administration.

According to Mbah, the state has strengthened security using AI-enabled surveillance and response systems, expanded digital infrastructure, improved transport networks, and laid the groundwork for reliable electricity. He noted that government processes are now largely digitised, improving transparency, reducing delays, and enhancing decision-making.

One of the major highlights of his address was the transformation of land administration through Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which he said has reduced processing time, protected land rights, and earned Enugu national recognition for excellence in geographic information services.

Beyond governance, Mbah said his administration has reimagined education by embedding digital tools, robotics, artificial intelligence, mechatronics, and applied engineering into everyday learning. He added that innovation hubs were created to ensure talents are nurtured both within and outside the formal school system.

“Our statewide learning system encourages collaboration rather than isolation. There is no reason the next breakthrough in edtech, fintech, agritech, or healthtech cannot emerge from Enugu,” he stated, urging youths to master artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and semiconductor design.

Drawing a symbolic contrast with the state’s history, the governor said, “A hundred years ago, Enugu was known for what it extracted — coal. Let this generation be known for what it designs.”

In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, described Governor Mbah as a visionary leader building a sustainable future. He encouraged Enugu youths to seize the opportunities created through initiatives such as Smart Schools and the broader innovation ecosystem.

“This is not a governor interested in short-term excitement. He is laying a foundation that will outlive his tenure and positively shape your future,” Maida said.

Similarly, Founder and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, said the investments in compulsory education and Smart Schools mean no Enugu youth should remain poor in today’s knowledge-driven world. He urged young people to believe in themselves and fully utilise the access to education and technology provided by the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Lawrence Ezeh, described the festival as a defining moment in Enugu’s digital journey. He revealed that since the inaugural edition in 2025, thousands of youths have been trained through innovation hubs and capacity-building programmes, helping to position Enugu as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems.

The Managing Director of Tenece Group, Kingsley Eze, also urged young innovators to look inward, noting that the Enugu of today offers far more support for technology and innovation than in previous years.

The festival attracted several tech companies, senior government officials, and members of the diplomatic community, including the Anna Westteholm and the Consul General of Denmark in Lagos, Jette Bjerrum.