By Isaac Mission
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called on Nigerian universities to rethink their approach to education by prioritising the development of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers instead of merely producing graduates with academic certificates.
Speaking at the 55th Convocation Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Governor Mbah delivered a lecture titled “Restoring the Dignity of Man: Enugu’s Quantum Leap in Human Development and Inclusive Prosperity Through Experiential Learning.” He stressed that a nation’s progress should be measured by how effectively its people transform knowledge into practical solutions that drive economic and social development.
The governor explained that Enugu State’s education reforms draw inspiration from the renowned Igbo apprenticeship model. He said the reforms are being coordinated through the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), which is responsible for curriculum development, teacher capacity building, and strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and industry.
Highlighting the government’s investment in education, Mbah disclosed that roughly one-third of the state’s annual budget is allocated to the sector. He noted that the funding is supporting the construction of 268 Smart Green Schools across the state’s 260 political wards.
He also revealed that more than 23,000 teachers have been trained in digital literacy, while approval has been granted for the recruitment of an additional 4,698 teachers to strengthen the education workforce.
Looking ahead, the governor announced plans to establish three specialised universities dedicated to artificial intelligence, educational technology, and agriculture. He added that new academic programmes have already been introduced at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) as part of the state’s broader strategy to align education with future workforce demands.