Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah Tuesday, 24 February , declared open the second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival , charging youth to master artificial intelligence; study robotics; learn cybersecurity; explore semiconductor design; and build products that solve real problems.
He gave the charge in his speech at the opening ceremony of the event held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Governor Mbah said Enugu had taken a deliberate decision not to remain a spectator in the fast-changing global digital economy but to become an active producer in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Gov Mbah (5Th Lef) and tech experts, diplomats
According to him, technology is no longer a supporting tool but the “operating system” of modern life.
“The world has crossed a line. We are witnessing an economic renaissance powered by technology. Companies that began in garages and dorm rooms now shape commerce, governance, finance and even human relationships,” he said.
He referenced global technology giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet Inc., Amazon and Meta Platforms as examples of how ideas, data and innovation now drive the global economy more than physical assets.
Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology Dr. Ezeh( L) Gov Mbah ( R)
“The rise of these companies tells us something profound: the world economy is no longer driven primarily by physical assets, but by ideas, code, data, and innovation. We are witnessing the acceleration of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Here in Enugu, we have made a deliberate decision: we will not be spectators in this revolution. We will be participants. We will be producers,” he said.
Governor Mbah expressed happiness that with requisite imagination and courage, his administration was building a resilient Enugu State where infrastructure works, institutions digitised, and where schools produce problem-solvers and technology runs quietly through everything.
Participants
He highlighted key reforms undertaken in the past three years, noting that his administration had embedded technology into governance, infrastructure and education.
He disclosed that the state strengthened security architecture using AI-powered systems for faster response and improved oversight. Core government functions have been digitised, he said, reducing delays, improving transparency and enhancing efficiency.
The introduction of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into land administration, he added, has cut processing time, safeguarded land rights and boosted investor confidence in the state’s real estate market.
On infrastructure, the governor said investments in roads, transport networks, digital backbone expansion and reliable electricity are laying the groundwork for a competitive tech ecosystem.
Speaking on Smart Schools and Youth Empowerment, Governor Mbah said, “Beyond transforming the formal education system to one that now enables students across all strata to research, design and test using digital tools as part of everyday learning, getting exposed to robotics, mechatronics, artificial intelligence and applied engineering. He added that his administration built innovation hubs to ensure that talents were also honed outside the formal education system, charging youths to optimise the opportunities.
“Our statewide learning system encourages collaboration across fields rather than isolation, with technological systems embedded throughout. So, there is no reason the next breakthrough in edtech, fintech, agritech, or healthtech cannot emerge from Enugu State,” he said.
To the youths, Governor Mbah charged, “I say this to our youth: Master artificial intelligence; study robotics; learn cybersecurity; explore semiconductor design; build products that solve real problems.
“Our schools must produce problem-solvers. There is no reason the next breakthrough in edtech, fintech, agritech or healthtech cannot emerge from Enugu,” he said..
Stressing that the state’s history must evolve from coal extraction to innovation and design, Governor Mbah said,
“A hundred years ago, Enugu was known for what it extracted – coal. Let this generation be known for what it designs”.
Ambassador Westerholm
In her goodwill message, Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, said the Nordic delegation comprising Swedish and Danish firms came to Enugu not just to observe but to explore investment and partnership opportunities.
She cited Swedish global brands like Ericsson and Spotify as proof that a small nation can build globally competitive tech companies.
Westerholm emphasised that Sweden’s tech success was built on institutional stability, regulatory predictability and strong public-private collaboration, urging Enugu to build secure, green and inclusive digital systems.
Also present was Denmark’s Consul General in Lagos, Mrs. Jette Bjerrum, alongside others.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, advised Enugu youths to exercise patience and maximise the opportunities created by the state government.
He described Mbah as a leader focused on sustainability rather than short-term gains, noting that the Smart Schools model and supporting tech ecosystem would outlive his tenure.
“This is about building a foundation that will shape your future. Grab these opportunities with both hands, ” he said.
Zinox CEO, Dr. Ekeh
On his part, the founder and Chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, urged people on humility, and patience. He declared that with the Smart Schools education and global access to knowledge, poverty should no longer be an excuse for any Enugu indigene.
“I do not know why any person in Enugu should be poor. The world is open, and knowledge is accessible, ” Dr. Ekeh said.
Also in his goodwill message, the Managing Director of Tenece Group, Kingsley Eze, said the Enugu of today offers far more institutional support for tech entrepreneurs than existed when his company started in 2008.
“There is a governor who understands technology and is building the capabilities required for a tech-friendly environment,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, described the festival as a defining milestone in Enugu’s digital evolution.
He disclosed that since the inaugural edition in 2025, thousands of youths have been trained through state-backed tech initiatives and innovation hubs.
He said this year’s festival aims to deepen partnerships, launch pilot projects in agriculture, healthcare and green energy, promote sustainable business practices and further expand digital infrastructure.
Highlights of the event were inspection of exhibitions and presentation of cash rewards to the winners of the Enugu tech competition.
