Governor Peter Mbah has declared the second Enugu Tech Festival open, saying that technology and innovation are the main drivers of Enugu State’s development. He encouraged young people to take full advantage of the many opportunities technology offers.
Speaking at the event held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Governor Mbah explained that technology is no longer just a support tool but now plays a central role in how people live and work. He said the world economy is changing fast and is now driven by ideas, data, software, and innovation rather than physical resources.
According to him, global companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta Platforms started small but became very successful through innovation. He said Enugu has decided not to watch this global tech revolution from the sidelines but to be actively involved.
Governor Mbah said his government has made strong progress in just three years. He explained that security has improved with the help of artificial intelligence, government services are now digital, and decision-making has become faster and clearer. He added that land administration has improved through digital mapping, which has made land ownership safer and faster to process.
He also said schools in Enugu now use digital tools, and students are exposed to modern skills like robotics, artificial intelligence, and engineering. In addition, innovation hubs have been created to help young people develop their talents outside the classroom.
The governor urged youths to learn useful tech skills such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and software development. He reminded them that Enugu was once known for coal mining and said this generation should be known for designing solutions and creating new ideas.
The Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, praised Governor Mbah and described him as a leader with a clear vision for the future. He advised youths to be patient and make good use of the opportunities being created, especially through smart schools and technology programs.
Also speaking, the founder of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, encouraged youths to believe in themselves. He said that with smart schools and compulsory education, no person from Enugu should remain poor in today’s knowledge-driven world.
In his welcome speech, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Lawrence Ezeh, described the festival as a major step in Enugu’s digital growth. He said thousands of youths have already been trained through tech programs and innovation hubs since the first festival in 2025.
The Managing Director of Tenece Group, Kingsley Eze, said Enugu is now very different from what it used to be years ago. He noted that the current government understands technology and is building the right environment for innovation to succeed.
The festival attracted top tech companies, government officials, and foreign diplomats, including the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westteholm, and the Danish Consul General in Lagos, Jette Bjerrum.