Enugu’s transformation will become Southeast Development Agenda- Gov Mbah

Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has said the development transformation being pursued by his administration will not end with Enugu State, expressing optimism that the emerging model will evolve into a broader Southeast development agenda.

He stated this on Saturday, September 26, 2026, during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at Government House, Enugu, where he explained the thinking behind his administration’s investments in infrastructure, tourism, transportation, education, healthcare, security and revenue generation.

The governor said the various projects were interconnected and designed to grow the state’s economy exponentially and eradicate poverty by creating an environment where people could live, work, invest and build sustainable futures.

According to him, the administration’s vision was partly driven by the desire to reverse the situation where young people leave Enugu after their education in search of employment and opportunities elsewhere.

“We don’t want our boys to come back to Enugu when they want to attend funerals or weddings,” Mbah said, stressing that the objective was to create opportunities that would enable young people to build wealth and successful careers within the state.
He explained that the projects being executed were not the ultimate objective but instruments for achieving broader economic transformation.

Mbah said Enugu was developing six major tourism sites as part of plans to attract about three million visitors to the state.
He mentioned the development of Trani Forest, including a zipline and a 5.6-kilometre cable car, as well as efforts to preserve and develop historical sites, including the Nsude Pyramids and ancient iron-smelting sites.

He said the tourism investments were intended to preserve the state’s historical heritage while creating attractions capable of drawing visitors, investment and employment.
The governor also said investments in transportation were aimed at improving connectivity and making it easier for people to access different parts of the state.

On education, Mbah said his administration was building more than 7,000 classrooms within two and a half years, alongside the provision of about 464,000 furniture items and supporting infrastructure, including solar power and data systems.
He said the Smart Schools were designed around the realities of the modern world and would expose children to technology and new forms of learning.

Mbah said the administration was moving away from a system based primarily on memorisation towards what he described as “exponential learning.”
He added that the sustainability of the investments was important, expressing the hope that subsequent administrations would maintain the standards being established.
“Our hope is that whoever comes after us would have to choose on what they see,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that Enugu’s revenue rose to about ₦406 billion last year, compared with about ₦205 billion in 2023, attributing the growth largely to the activation of government-owned assets and businesses rather than increased taxation.
Mbah said the administration had focused on plugging leakages and activating or reviving revenue-generating assets.

He listed United Palm Products, Sunrise Plants, Niger Gas, the International Conference Centre and airport terminals among the assets contributing to the state’s economic activity and revenue generation.
He said the strategy was aimed at creating businesses that generate revenue while simultaneously providing employment opportunities.

Responding to questions on security, the governor said Enugu was working to strengthen security around the state’s borders and monitor movements through various entry points.

He disclosed that discussions were ongoing towards establishing an integrated security system for the Southeast, including a possible common command and control centre for intelligence and operations across the region.

According to him, security challenges cannot be effectively isolated within individual state boundaries because developments in one location can have consequences for neighbouring states.

Mbah said the transformation taking place in Enugu could ultimately form part of a wider Southeast development agenda.
He commended the Federal Government for the operationalisation of the Southeast Development Commission, saying it had created a platform for pursuing projects of common interest across the region.

He cited the proposed pressure gas pipeline linking major ports in the Southeast and the integrated Southeast railway project as examples of projects that could benefit from regional coordination.

The governor also said Enugu was working to position the Akanu Ibiam International Airport as a major airport for the Southeast, noting that its international wing had been concessioned and efforts were ongoing to ensure its operationalisation.

Mbah highlighted collaboration between the Enugu State Government and the Federal Government on infrastructure projects, including roads and the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as the Federal Government’s interest in the Southeast, saying stronger cooperation between the federal and state governments would help advance infrastructure and development across the region.