Governor Peter Mbah has declared open the second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival, stating that technology and innovation remain at the heart of the state’s transformation agenda.
Speaking at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Tuesday, Mbah said technology had evolved beyond a supportive role to become the operating system of modern life.
“The world has crossed a line. What we are witnessing in our lifetime is nothing short of an economic renaissance powered by technology,” he said.
He cited global technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet Inc., Amazon, and Meta Platforms as examples of how ideas, code, data and innovation now drive the global economy.
According to him, Enugu has taken a deliberate decision not to be a spectator in the Fourth Industrial Revolution but an active participant and producer.
“In three years, we moved from concept to execution. We strengthened security through AI-embedded systems, expanded digital infrastructure, digitised core government functions and introduced Geographic Information Systems into land administration,” he said.
Mbah added that his administration had reformed the education system to expose students to robotics, mechatronics, artificial intelligence and applied engineering, while also establishing innovation hubs to nurture talents outside the formal school system.
“A hundred years ago, Enugu was known for what it extracted – coal. Let this generation be known for what it designs,” he stated, urging youths to master artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semiconductor design and other emerging technologies.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, described Mbah as a visionary leader building a sustainable future for the state.
He urged youths to take advantage of the Smart Schools and the broader ecosystem being developed around innovation and technology.
Similarly, Founder and Chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, said the foundation being laid by the governor through compulsory education and digital learning would significantly reduce poverty in the state.
“With Smart Schools and access to knowledge, there is no reason any Enugu person should be poor,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, described the festival as a defining moment in Enugu’s digital journey, noting that thousands of youths had been trained through initiatives and innovation hubs established since the inaugural edition in 2025.
The Managing Director of Tenece Group, Kingsley Eze, also commended the administration for creating a tech-friendly environment, saying the Enugu of today reflects deliberate investment in digital capabilities.
The event attracted technology stakeholders, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps, including the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Anna Westteholm, and the Consul General of Denmark in Lagos, Mrs. Jette Bjerrum.
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