Enugu to Set Up AI Center and Host Major Tech Festival in 2026

The Enugu State Government has announced plans to build an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence as part of efforts to make the state a leader in technology and innovation.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh, said the center will come after the successful hosting of the 2025 Enugu Tech Festival.

According to him, a tech company from Finland has already contacted the state government and talks are progressing well.

“We have gone far with discussions. This company from Finland wants to help us set up the AI center in Enugu,” Dr. Ezeh said.

The center will offer physical classes where students can register and learn artificial intelligence from experienced experts. Dr. Ezeh said this move will help prepare young people for the future, as AI is becoming important in almost every area of life.

“AI is taking over everything these days. We must get ready, and this center will be a game changer for us in Enugu,” he added.

In addition to the AI center, Dr. Ezeh also revealed that another company will offer free training for 5,000 to 10,000 people in blockchain technology (Web3). The training will last for over three months and teach people how to use digital skills to earn money online.

The state is also planning the 2026 Enugu Tech Festival, with the theme “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form.” The event will take place from February 24 to 27, 2026, and is expected to bring together 50,000 participants from within and outside Nigeria.

The festival will feature workshops, panel discussions, and educational activities focused on energy, technology, and innovation. Dr. Ezeh said the festival supports Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to make Enugu a leading hub for technology and innovation.

A planning team, including a Local Organizing Committee and Advisory Board, has already been set up. One of the members of the advisory board is Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

“We are building an innovation ecosystem that encourages creativity, improves skills, and drives economic growth,” Dr. Ezeh said.

These projects, the AI Center and the 2026 Tech Festival are expected to attract investments and create new job opportunities, making Enugu one of the top technology destinations in Nigeria.