Enugu State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to facilitate development in education, healthcare, tourism sectors and innovation with the aim of eradicating poverty and strengthening service delivery in the sectors
The MoU was also aimed at formalising partnership designed to translate the reform agenda of the state Governor ,Dr. Peter Mbah into concrete improvements .
Gov Mbah responding to Ms Attafua’s speech
Speaking at the signing of the MoU on Tuesday, 3 February, 2026, in Government House,Enugu, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, described the MoU as a major turning point in Enugu state’s development journey. She added that it represents a shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated, results-oriented development planning.
She said the partnership aligns with the vision of Governor Mbah and his reformation.
“What we are doing today is not just ceremonial; it is truly strategic. It reflects a deliberate choice to lead development through integrated planning, co-investment and disciplined delivery,” Attafuah said.
She commended Governor Mbah for what she described as reform-driven leadership, transparency and clarity of vision, adding that UNDP observed strong coordination and leadership capacity within the Enugu State Government team.
Gov Mbah applauding UNDP for it’s partnership commitments , Resident Representative Attafua( R)
The UNDP Resident Representative disclosed that the Governor signed three critical instruments to operationalise the partnership. They are a Memorandum of Understanding that sets the strategic framework; a description of action that maps out implementation pathways, and a financing agreement that moves the partnership from planning to execution.
She explained that the agreement comes at a critical time for Nigeria and the states, stressing that economic reforms only become meaningful when they translate into better livelihoods, employment opportunities, improved services and inclusive growth.
Gov Mbah and Ms Attacua displaying copies of the MoU
“In a federal system like Nigeria, states are where the dividends of reforms must be felt,” she said.
The UNDP Resident Representative further revealed that implementation would be carried out under the Integrated Smart States Programme, an initiative designed to help Enugu convert political priorities into bankable, investment-ready portfolios. She noted that state resources would be used as anchor capital to attract development finance and private sector investment.
She identified priority areas of intervention to include healthcare delivery, smart and green schools, innovation and digital solutions, renewable energy, tourism development, and support for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) to boost competitiveness and job creation across Enugu State.
According to her, the initiative is structured as a comprehensive transformation agenda rather than a collection of isolated projects.
Attafuah emphasised that the MoU marks the beginning of a results-driven process, announcing that a UNDP implementation team would be deployed immediately to Enugu to support execution, develop a joint action plan and ensure proper sequencing, costing and accountability.
“The bridge between commitment and implementation is costing, and delivery is what truly matters,” she stated.
She reaffirmed UNDP’s long-term commitment to Enugu State, pledging continued technical assistance, access to global best practices and advisory support to ensure lasting and impactful outcomes for the people of the state
Responding, Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating poverty and achieving zero hunger in Enugu State He described the partnership with UNDP as a significant milestone in the government’s drive to deliver sustainable development
He assured that transparency, accountability and value for money would remain central to his administration’s governance philosophy, particularly in public procurement and the utilisation of public resources.
Governor Mbah highlighted some of his administration ‘s developmental strides, noting that the state government allocated over 30% of the state’s annual budget to education, built 260 Smart Schools and Primary Healthcare centres across the state, among others projects. He reiterated the commitment of the state government in ensuring that the children were equipped with relevant technological and digital skills to be able to compete with their counterparts across the world.
The Governor pledged the state’s readiness to work closely with UNDP to achieve shared development goals that align with both Enugu’s development agenda and the organisation’s global objectives.
